New York (VNA) – Ambassador NguyenPhuong Nga, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN),reiterated Vietnam’s consistent stance in favour of disarmament and nuclearnon-proliferation at the debate of the First Committee on Disarmament andInternational Security in New York on October 2-10.

“It is Vietnam’s consistent policy to advocate totaldisarmament and non-proliferation, with the highest priority given to nuclearweapons and other weapons of mass destruction (WMDs)”, Nga said.

[Vietnam continues to back disarmament, non-proliferation]

Vietnam is a partyto and fully complies with its obligations under all key WMD disarmament andnon-proliferation treaties, she added. The Ambassadorhighlighted that the country has worked with the International Atomic EnergyAgency (IAEA) and other international partners to ensure nuclear safety andsecurity, including the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, Comprehensive TestBan Treaty, Biological Weapons Convention, Chemical Weapons Convention, theIAEA Safeguards Agreement and its Additional Protocol, and the Southeast AsianNuclear-Weapon Free-Zone. Vietnam alsoimplements relevant UN Security Council resolutions and participates in relatedinitiatives, including the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism andthe Proliferation Security Initiative, she said.

The diplomatstressed that as a country suffering from cluster munitions and otherunexploded ordnances left from wars, Vietnam is actively implementing the2010-2025 Plan of Action for demining and victim assistance. 

“We supportthe humanitarian objectives of relevant international mechanisms to helpaffected countries address the aftermath of war, including the Convention onCluster Munitions and the Anti-personnel Landmines Convention”, Nga said.

She took theoccasion to thank all international partners who have supported Vietnam andcalled for more assistance from the international community in the field,especially in disarming bombs and mines and supporting victims.

“It is of the utmost importance to uphold multilateralism as the coreprinciple of negotiations, as the only efficient and rule-based approach inaccordance with international law and the United Nations Charter, as well asthe effective tool for building trust among countries”, she stressed.

During the debate, regional representatives,including those from the Non-Aligned Movement and the Association of SoutheastAsian Nations expressed their concerns over the increasing proliferation ofnuclear weapons and the sluggish disarmament of nuclear countries.

They also 🐲underlined the rights of each countryin researching, developing, p🉐roducing and using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.-VNA