Activities of Secretary-General in Viet Nam, 22-23 May
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, accompanied by Madam Ban Soon-taek, arrived in Hanoi from Seoul on Friday, 22 May.
The Secretary-General met with Vietnamese President Trương Tấn Sang, and he told reporters afterwards that they had a very productive discussion concerning Viet Nam’s impressive progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. They also talked about climate change, human rights and other topics. He said he and the President agreed that ensuring a smooth transition from the Millennium Goals to the new sustainable development goals is a high priority for both the United Nations and Viet Nam. Noting that Viet Nam is currently serving on the Human Rights Council, he said members are expected to “uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights”, placing the country in an ideal position to demonstrate its commitment to human rights by working to improve its own domestic human rights record.
The Secretary-General held meetings in the afternoon with Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng and with Nguyễn Phú Trọng, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, on many of the same topics he had discussed with the President.
In the early evening, the Secretary-General held a town hall meeting with United Nations staff working in Viet Nam. He later attended a dinner hosted by President Trương Tấn Sang at the State Guest House.
On Saturday, 23 May, the Secretary-General inaugurated the Green One United Nations House with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh. At a press encounter at the event, Mr. Ban noted how the Green One United Nations House “is one more concrete way the UN in Viet Nam is leading by example” as a model for energy efficiency and sustainability.
Later in the morning, the Secretary-General spoke on “the role of the United Nations in development, peace and security in Asia” in an address to students and young diplomats at the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam. Calling 2015 “a year for action”, he urged Academy students to drive development and become global citizens. (See Press Release SG/SM/16782.)
Following that engagement, the Secretary-General attended the first anniversary ceremony of the Viet Nam Peacekeeping Centre with Deputy Prime Minister Phan Bin Minh and Vice-Minister of Defence Nguyen Chi Vinh. (See Press Release SG/SM/16783.)
The Secretary-General then spoke at the National Assembly of Viet Nam, where he encouraged strengthened partnerships and efforts to ensure a better future for all. (See Press Release SG/SM/16784.)
In the evening, the Secretary-General attended a dinner with the United Nations Country Team, hosted by Pratibha Mehta, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam.
Later that evening, the Secretary-General and his delegation departed Viet Nam for Ireland.