Guards flying the flags of Vietnam and the United Nations side by side. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

The grand ceremony was attended by ambassadors, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives of UN organizations in Vietnam, the Government's Cabinet as well as generations of leaders who contributed to relations between Vietnam and the United Nations throughout 45 years.

10 Hanoi–Amsterdam High School students participated in the ceremony's choir performance alongside students of the United Nations International School of Hanoi (UNIS).

President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and Secretary–General António Guterres offering flowers to the performing students from Hanoi - Amsterdam High School and United Nations International School of Hanoi

In his speech at the event, President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc reaffirmed the fact that becoming the 149th member of the United Nations marked a new beginning in Vietnam's post-war rebuilding efforts. The journey saw Vietnam's revival from the rubble of war, its reforms, its deep integration into the international community, its rise to the position of a developing country with a dynamic economy, and its achievements of a high GDP per capita and a high Human Development Index (HDI). Vietnam has always been a friend, a trustworthy and responsible partner of the international community and a member of numerous international organizations. The country is also proactive in its international integration, participates in the World Trade Organization (WTO), 17 free trade agreements (FTA) and is a crucial part of the global supply chain.

President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc giving a speech at the ceremony. Photo: Vietnam News Agency.

The President stated: during the hardest years, the United Nations was the only multilateral source of aid to assist Vietnam in rebuilding its socioeconomic infrastructure and stabilizing citizens' lives. As Vietnam underwent major economic changes (Doi Moi) from 1986 onwards, the United Nations has always been a steady ally, supporting Vietnam's market economy, developing its labor forces, carrying out sustainable development goals, resolving societal issues and lifting millions out of poverty. Most recently, as COVID-19 wreaks havoc everywhere, the COVAX program has provided massive numbers of vaccine doses to Vietnam, which touched the hearts of every Vietnamese and reinforced the nationwide belief of a compassionate United Nations.

President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc emphasized Vietnam's pride in the United Nations' pursuits and heroic efforts. Starting as a country receiving humanitarian aid, Vietnam has grown to become a trustworthy and responsible partner across key industries of the United Nations and is now on track to complete Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Once a country lacking food, Vietnam is now the biggest exporter of numerous agricultural products, contributing to national, regional and international food security. Vietnam is always ready to assist the United Nations in the current food crisis to the best of its ability.

President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc giving a speech at the ceremony. Photo: Vietnam News Agency.

The President said that Vietnam is a pioneering participant in the efforts to reform the nation’s United Nations development infrastructure. The People's Army Forces and the People's Police Forces, in which there was a large presence of female soldiers, are present in the United Nations' mission in South Sudan, the Central African republic and the Abyei region. At the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations Human Rights Council, Vietnam helped push the agenda for women's rights, peace and security, and the impact of climate change on human rights. Vietnam was also honored to be elected into the Human Rights Council for the 2023 - 2025 term. Currently, Vietnam is trying to participate in energy transition and green transition, heading towards net zero in 2050.

The President hoped that "the United Nations keeps playing a vital role in global governance and international partnership, in multilateral efforts to ensure peace, security and international cooperation, for a world without war, conflicts and injustice, and for humanity without poverty or backwardness".

Delegates at the ceremony. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

The President declared: "After many years of war, Vietnam fully understands the importance of peace, commits to building a civilized and powerful country with social justice and democracy, with a view to becoming a developed, high-income country by 2045. On that journey, the partnership with the United Nations always is an important part of Vietnam's diverse and multilateral foreign policies as well as international cooperation."

"We strive to effectively cooperate with the United Nations, assist in tackling global issues, and work towards world peace, partnership and development," the President expresses.

Secretary–General António Gutteres in a speech at the ceremony. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

In a speech, Secretary–General António Guterres was deeply moved by Vietnam's development journey. From war-torn, sanctioned a country receiving food aid, ravished by famines, Vietnam is now sending peacekeeping troops to assist citizens in other regions of the world.

Delegates at the ceremony. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

Secretary–General António Guterres recounted the milestones in Vietnam and the United Nations' partnership, with important socioeconomic achievements, a fast economic development speed, and most notably: Vietnam has completed and even far exceeded almost every Millenium Development Goals. These achievements are the evidence for the resilience and hard work of the Vietnamese people, as well as the well-placed humanity-centered development policies.

The Secretary–General believed Vietnam has a chance to become a pioneer for progressive values, in order to preserve a safe future from the impact of climate change and ensure that no one is left behind. Mr. António Guterres also congratulated Vietnam on becoming a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023 - 2025 term.

President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and Secretary–General António Guterres at the 45th anniversary of Vietnam–United Nations partnership ceremony. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

Expressing concern for climate change and the rising sea levels, Secretary–General António Guterres remarked that without a global climate initiative, in this decade, over a million Vietnamese can be pushed into extreme poverty. The economic consequences of climate change in Vietnam can increase by 50 times by 2050.

In such a situation, the Secretary–General praised Vietnam's effort to limit coal energy, start an energy transition project and work towards net zero by 2050; he also believed that Vietnam needs help to speed up the process of reforming the economy and undergoing green transition.

President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and Secretary–General António Guterres with the leaders and soldiers of the Vietnamese UN Peacekeeping troops. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

In the ceremony, Secretary–General António Guterres also expressed the hope of strengthening the partnership between the UN and Vietnam to ensure peace and sustainable development, fight climate change and safeguard human rights in the world.