Vietnam’s treatment for UN employee marks new milestone in bilateral ties
Vietnam’s successful treatment of a United Nations employee who contracted COVID-19 has marked a new step of development in the cooperation between the two sides, while proving the country’s increasingly important role in the regional and international arena, UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Kamal Malhotra has said.
Doctors at National Hospital for Tropical Diseases are treating a COVID-19 patient. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s successfultreatment of a United Nations employee who contracted COVID-19 has marked a newstep of development in the cooperation between the two sides, while proving thecountry’s increasingly important role in the regional and international arena, UNResident Coordinator in Vietnam Kamal Malhotra has said.
This is a historic, significant achievement, he toldthe Vietnam News Agency (VNA), adding that the UN would continue to holddiscussions with the Vietnamese government on turning the country into animportant and potential destination for patients under the UN EmergencyChartered Medical Evacuation Services (MEDEVAC) in the future.
Earlier, Vietnam, at the request of the UN, had receivedand successfully treated a UN staff member who contracted the coronavirus whileworking in a regional country and was in critical condition.
The patient was brought to Vietnam by a plane run bythe MEDEVAC, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Vietnam was once seen as a country that needs tosend its severe patients to other countries via the MEDEVAC mechanism such asSingapore and Thailand, the official said.
However, this is the first time the country hasadmitted a patient through the mechanism, especially in the context of thepandemic spread, he continued.
According to Malhotra, one of the reasons that theUN asked Vietnam to treat the UN staff member was the country’s good performancein COVID-19 prevention and control, with a low rate of infections, as well asits good medical services.
UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Kamal Malhotra (Photo: VNA)
The event is of historical significance as it tookplace at a time when Vietnam was holding the rotating UN Security Council (UNSC) presidency, the officialsaid, expressing his hope that there will be similar activities in the timeahead.
Regarding cooperation between the UN and theVietnamese government and competent agencies in the pandemic combat, Malhotrasaid both sides have acknowledged the important role of the other, with theVietnamese government playing crucial leadership.
Helping Vietnam build and roll out its vaccinationprogramme is a top priority of the UN in 2021, he affirmed, adding that the UNand relevant agencies will continue their assistance to Vietnam in vaccinesupply, and vaccine quality and safety control.
He also suggested the country should do better inexpanding vaccination coverage, and informed that the UN will make effort toprovide the country with vaccines enough to inoculate 20 percent of itspopulation by year-end./.
Diplomatic channels have been optimised to seek COVID-19 vaccine supply sources around the world in the hope of increasing the rate of vaccinated people, thus pushing back the pandemic soon.
Vietnam needs to pay special attention to promoting development of industrial production and retail as both sectors may continue to be affected by COVID-19 outbreaks, according to the World Bank (WB).
Vietnam’s national count of COVID-19 cases has crossed the milestone of 10,000 more than a month after the resurgence of the virus began in late April, wreaking havoc on multiple major industrial parks where thousands of factory workers have become infected.
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The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
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Vietnam is a country with which Russia shares a special relationship. In the 1950s and 60s, particularly during Vietnam’s struggle for independence, the two countries forged a deep bond. While much has changed over time, the friendship and cooperation between our nations have endured, said Russian President Vladimir Putin.
For 50 years, Vietnam and New Zealand have worked together to uphold peace and prosperity for their peoples and the region. The friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding Vietnam and New Zealand nurtured have grown from a seed into a deeply rooted, strong, and thriving tree, she stressed.
Since the Strategic Partnership was established in 2020, Vietnam and New Zealand have witnessed steady growth in the relations. Beyond the remarkable 40% increase in bilateral trade over five years, political relations and multilateral interactions, particularly within the CPTPP framework, have remained highly positive.
Known as the “four pillars for Vietnam’s ascend”, the Pobiburo's Resolutions 57, 59, 66, and 68 focus on cultivating a robust national entrepreneurial spirit, unlocking resources for innovation across society, and accelerating the development of digital economy, knowledge-based economy, green economy, and circular economy, propelling Vietnam forward rapidly and firmly on the path of modernisation and international integration.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang cleared up deputies' concern regarding how to spur socio-economic growth, renew traditional growth motives and establish new momentum for development.
Vietnam proposed several priorities: narrowing the digital divide, strengthening women’s leadership in the digital economy and AI governance, and mobilising sustainable financing for gender equality initiatives in line with each country’s national priorities and context. Vietnam also advocated for genuine women’s participation and leadership across all areas of public life.
Doctors at National Hospital for Tropical Diseases are treating a COVID-19 patient. (Photo: VNA) 
UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Kamal Malhotra (Photo: VNA) 
