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Background Brief Vietnam: Prime Minister Addresses UN General Assembly Carlyle A. Thayer September 30, 2013

[client name deleted] Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung delivered a speech at the 68th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 27. Here is the link to the speech: http://news.chinhphu.vn/Home/PM-stresses-what-humanity-needs-at-UN-GeneralDebate/20139/19040.vgp We would like your assessment of the speech and, in particular, what struck you as significant as a Vietnam specialist. ANSWER: Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dungs address to the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly was another example of Vietnams emergence as a constructive state in regional and global affairs. Prime Minister Dung brought with him Vietnams experience as a victim of war, a successful example of a developing country, and a non-permanent member of the Security Council. Prime Ministers address was aimed contributing to the UNs Post -2015 Development Agenda. His speech touched on three important issues for the future: conflict prevention and the maintenance of peace, the eradication of hunger and poverty, and ensuring that the global environment will be healthy for future generations. Prime Minister Dung spoke on behalf of all Vietnamese who have experienced recent war and the continuing legacy of war, such as Agent Orange and unexploded ordnance. This set the foundation for his argument that there were multiple causes of conflict that needed to be addressed. Prime Minister Dung noted that power politics could contribute to conflict. In this context he specifically mentioned territorial disputes in the East China and South China Seas where just one single incident or ill-conceived act could trigger conflict, even war. He highlighted the importance of the South China Sea for wor ld trade and reaffirmed Vietnams support for Declaration on Conduct of Parties and Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to reduce tensions giving rise to conflict. Prime Minister Dung argued that the best solutions could be found under the UN Charter and international law. He argued that the role of the UN Security Council

2 needed to be promoted. And Prime Minister Dung re-introduced a theme he popularized at this years Shangri-La Dialogue the need to build strategic trust. Prime Minister Dung demonstrated his statesmanship by noting that Vietnam wanted to be a reliable partner and a responsible member of the international community. Significantly, he pledged that Vietnam was ready to join UN peacekeeping operations. And in Southeast Asia, Prime Minister Dung noted that Vietnam was working with other states to build the ASEAN Community. In sum, no world leader is permitted unlimited time to address the UN General Assembly. In the time allocated, Prime Minister identified a range of key international and regional issues and practical measures to address them. Vietnam, which already has high prestige in the international community, further enhanced its image by the Prime Ministers address.

Suggested citation: Carlyle A. Thayer, Vietnam: Prime Minister Addresses UN General Assembly, Thayer Consultancy Background Brief, September 30, 2013. All background briefs are posted on Scribd.com (search for Thayer). To remove yourself from the mailing list type UNSUBSCRIBE in the Subject heading and hit the Reply key. Thayer Consultancy provides political analysis of current regional security issues and other research support to selected clients. Thayer Consultancy was officially registered as a small business in Australia in 2002.