Vietnam’s top leader To Lam arrives in New York for UNGA 81 high-level debate

Vietnamese Party chief and State President To Lam and the Vietnamese delegation were welcomed at John F. Kennedy International Airport by Vietnamese Ambassador to the U.S. Nguyen Quoc Dung, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN Do Hung Viet, and officials and staff from the Vietnamese Embassy in the U.S. and Permanent Mission to the UN.

Vietnam-UN relations are in a period of positive and substantive development. From its years of struggle for independence, Vietnam has grown into a particularly trusted partner of the UN, making proactive, responsible and pioneering contributions across the UN’s core areas of work.

The Vietnamese top leader’s participation in and address at the high-level general debate is significant as Vietnam and the UN approach the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

His attendance also underscores Vietnam's support for the UN's central role in multilateral cooperation and its commitment to international law.

During the visit, Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President To Lam is expected to share Vietnam's development experience after 40 years of Doi Moi and put forward initiatives to address global challenges, including climate change, sustainable development and the governance of core technologies of the future.

Besides the general debate, the Vietnamese delegation will participate in a number of high-level events covering issues such as the right to development, climate change and a just transition, sea-level rise, pandemic prevention and response, and nuclear disarmament.

These are all highly practical issues that are directly related to peace, security, development and people's lives.

They also provide an opportunity for UN members to exchange views, propose solutions to common challenges and shape cooperation priorities for the coming period.

To Lam's bilateral activities in the U.S. are also expected to contribute to implementing the common understandings reached by the senior leaders of Vietnam and the U.S. and further promote their comprehensive strategic partnership.

The two sides will discuss issues of strategic and long-term importance to bilateral ties and strengthen mutual understanding and support for Vietnam and bilateral ties.

The high-level general debate of the 81st UN General Assembly will take place from September 22 to 26 and conclude on September 28 at the UN headquarters in New York.

The theme of this year's general debate is 'Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All'.