Laos begins term as UN General Assembly vice president

VIENTIANE, Sept 25 (Vientiane Times/ANN): Laos has assumed office as Vice President of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, which officially kicked off on Sept 21 in New York, United States.

Anouparb Vongnorkeo (pic), Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to the United Nations, serves as a moderator at the UN conference on Sept 22 in New York, USA.

As part of the Vice President's mandate, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Laos to the United Nations, Anouparb on behalf of Laos served as moderator of a UN event to mark the 20th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action on September 22.

The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, which was adopted two decades ago, was designed to counter racism, racial discrimination, and prejudice against people from other countries (xenophobia).

On the same occasion, Anouparb moderated the 6th Plenary Meeting of the UN General Debate, when heads of states took turns to deliver speeches both in person at the UN meeting hall and via online platforms.

During this plenary session, world leaders expressed their opinions on important regional and world situations, especially the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, short- and long-term solutions to tackle climate changes, disorders and terrorism, and promotion of multilateral cooperation to implement the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.

As Vice President of the 76th UN General Assembly, Laos will take part in leading a number of UN meetings from September this year to September next year. The theme of this year’s UN assembly is “Rebuild Sustainably, Respect the Rights of People and Revitalise the United Nations”.

Laos’ role as Vice President of the high-level UN conferences and fulfilment of its international obligations is of great importance as it takes place amid complex, rapid and unpredictable changes in the regional and international environment.

Other key challenges, which take place during this time include climate change and disputes, together with economic, social and environmental crises. These are causing threats to the stability of the world community.

To fulfil the role of Vice President of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Laos will be required to strengthen its capacity and perform its duties impartially and transparently, based on UN meeting protocols and procedures.

Despite facing a number of challenges, the role is an opportunity for Laos to raise its profile in the international area.

This is not the first time Laos has been appointed to this high-profile role, as the country served as Vice President of the 50th UN General Assembly in 1995.

The annual UN General Debate will continue until Monday (Sept 27). - Vientiane Times/ANN