New York (VNA) – Vietnam has called for theprotection of civilians in countries with conflicts and COVID-19 pandemicduring an online session of the United Nations Security Council on theimplementation of Resolution 2532 on the pandemic on September 9.

Addressing the session, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head ofthe Vietnamese permanent mission to the UN, held that the resolution should befully implemented through the effective response to the call for ceasefire by the UN Secretary-General and the resolution.

It is necessary to focus on protecting people in countriesexperiencing conflicts and humanitarian crisis, along with the strengthening ofsolidarity and coordination of efforts at national, regional and global levels aswell as relevant parties during the preparation, response and recovery afterthe pandemic ends.

He stressed the need to maintain peacekeeping operations inthe “new normal” situation, contributing to the long-term solutions to maintainsustainable peace and development.

Resolution 2532 was adopted by the UN Security Council onJuly 1, 2020 with 15/15 votes. It calls for the ceasefire in all countriesincluded in the council’s agenda, while supporting the UN Secretary-General’scall for global ceasefire to create favourable conditions for the control ofCOVID-19 pandemic.

At the session, UN Under-Secretary-GeneralRosemary DiCarlo held that COVID-19 pandemic has caused risks of erosion of trust in public institutions, theaggravation of certain human rights challenges during the pandemic, which inturn can fuel conflict, and impacts to political and peace processes.

She underlined thesignificance of Security Council’s decisive engagement in follow up to theceasefire call.

Meanwhile, UN Under-Secretary-General forHumanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock said that alongside assistance from humanitarian agencies,others, in particular the international financial institutions, have animportant role to play in helping the most vulnerable countries cope throughthe crisis.

He heldthat beyond the economy, the biggest indirect effect of the virus is on publicservices, especially health and education.

Membersof the UN Security Council called on all parties involving in conflicts tofully implement Resolution 2532, while effectively responding to the UNSecretary-General ceasefire call, and supporting and giving humanitarianassistance to countries with conflicts.

Theyalso lauded UN efforts to adjust the operations of peacekeeping missions tomaintain their operations, support the host country and protect themselves./.