Vietnam proud of being responsible UN member Over the past four decades, Vietnam has taken great pride in its membership to the UN. Despite its limited resources, the country has made all-out effort to make contributions to all three pillars- peace- security, development and human rights. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made the statement at a ceremony to mark the 40th anniversary of Vietnam’s membership to the UN in Hanoi on October 17. Vietnam has always placed a top priority on boosting effective cooperation with the United Nations (UN) as part of its external policies, Phuc said while recalling the event on September 20, 1977 when the UN General Assembly admitted Vietnam as the 149th member. The admission marked the UN’s recognition of the independence, freedom and unification of the Southeast Asian country advancing to “Doi moi” (Renewal) process and international integration. Since its establishment in 1945, the UN has been a leading organization in implementing peacekeeping activities, preventing conflicts, stepping up cooperation and development, and ensuring human rights, he said.  Vietnam has been trusted in election to many key UN agencies and the Vietnam - UN Development Cooperation Framework is seen as a successful model. "Vietnam strongly supports the call of the UN Secretary General stating that 2017 is a year for peace. We look forward to the UN's greater role in maintaining international peace and security, preventing and settling disputes through peaceful means on the basis of respect for the Charter of the United Nations and international law," Phuc stressed. On behalf of the Vietnamese Government and people, the PM thanked the UN and international community for their valuable support for Vietnam over the past four decades. Vietnam pledges to continue to be a member of UN agencies and expand peacekeeping operations as well as carry out the sustainable development agenda and the Paris agreement on climate change. The country desires to receive more international support to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure, the government leader said. He also urged the UN, development partners and international friends to continue helping Vietnam to successfully realize its renewal process towards sustainable development and prosperity in the future. On this occasion, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres extended a congratulatory message to the Vietnamese people and Government in which, he hailed Vietnam’s commitments to the South-South Cooperation and assured the UN’s commitment to going ahead with stronger cooperation with the country. He said he hopes Vietnam will become more involved in UN peacekeeping operations. In his address, UN Resident Coordinator to Vietnam Kamal Malhotra greatly valued Vietnam-UN cooperation over the past four decades and the country's efforts to fulfill  most of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) before 2015. He displayed his belief that with its strong political determination and experience in the MDGs realisation, the country will achive the Sustainable Development Goals with better results. From an ODA recipient, Vietnam has become a development partner, remarkably contributed to the maintenance of international peace and security, and helped to prevent and peacefully settle disputes and conflicts in the world on the basis of the UN Charter, he noted. Malhotra affirmed UN organisations's continuous support for the country in dealing with challenges through high-level policy consultation, experience sharing, and expertise provision, and actualizing innovative and feasible solutions towards achieving the 2030 Agenda. On the occasion, PM Phuc and Resident Coordinator Malhotra cut the ribbon opening an exhibition highlighting 40 years of Vietnam- UN relationship. VOV