Counsellor Minister and Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN Nguyen Phuong Tra hailed recent investigation progress and outcomes obtained by the UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Daesh (UNITAD) despite COVID-19-related difficulties at an UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting held on December 10.
New York (VNA) – Counsellor Minister and Deputy Permanent Representative ofVietnam to the UN Nguyen Phuong Tra hailed recent investigation progress andoutcomes obtained by the UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability forCrimes Committed by Daesh (UNITAD) despite COVID-19-related difficulties at anUN Security Council (UNSC) meeting held on December 10.
At the virtualmeeting that discussed an UNITAD report on its operation in the past sixmonths, the Vietnamese Ambassador lauded constructive cooperation betweenUNITAD and the Iraqi government.
Expressingher concern over attacks by Daesh or the proclaimed Islamic State (IS) targetingcivilians and foreign representative offices in Iraq, Tra requested the teamcontinue focusing on its strategic priorities; strengthening cooperation withthe Iraqi government, regional and local authorities and religious leaders; andapplying all procedures and measures on the protection of victims andwitnesses.
Vietnamcalls for the international community’s increasing support toward the UNITAD inhelping the team carry out its mission in line with international law, UNSCresolutions and principles of the UN Charter, including those on respectingIraq’s territorial sovereignty, integrity, and unity, she said.
Deliveringa report at the meeting, Karim Khan, UN Special Adviser and Head of the UNITAD,highlighted important steps in collecting new sources of evidence on the IScrimes, particularly targeting children and women, as well as in collaboratingwith the Iraqi government, including the training of investigation skills forIraqi judges.
Laudingsuch progresses, many participating member states pledged their furthercommitments to supporting UNITAD’s operation based on UNSC resolutions and inline with the Iraqi law.
Establishedin September 2017, UNITAD began operations in August, 2018. Currently, it hasabout 130 experts, investigators, security staff and others./.
Ambassador Pham Hai Anh, deputy head of the Vietnamese permanent mission to the UN, shared concerns over persistent insecurity and humanitarian challenges facing the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), during a UN Security Council meeting on December 7.
Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani, head of Indonesia’s permanent mission to the UN, affirmed Indonesia and Vietnam back the transition process in Sudan, when delivering a joint speech of the two countries at the UN Security Council briefing on Sudan situation and operations of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) on December 8.
International delegates lauded Vietnam’s contributions to affirming women’s roles in building and sustaining peace while attending the International Conference on Women, Peace and Security held by the Foreign Ministry in partnership with the United Nations on December 7-9.
Vietnam highlighted the leading responsibility of nations in ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law, preventing and punishing serious criminals such as war crime, crime against humanity and crime of aggression, a Vietnamese diplomat has said.
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Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
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Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
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Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
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Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
At the event (Photo: VNA) 
