New York, 26 May 2022 (TDI): Ambassador of Vietnam, Dang Hoang Giang, the new Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations participated and represented Vietnam at the POC week 2022 in New York.
Ambassador Dang Hoang Giangan attended an event on the protection of water & sanitation infrastructure. He laid an emphasis on the importance of strengthening the implementation of applicable rules & principles of international humanitarian law at the event.
Participating at the #POCWeek2022 event on protection of water & 💦 infrastructure (🇻🇳 is one of the co-sponsors), Amb. Dang Hoang Giang, PR of 🇻🇳 stressed the importance of strengthening the implementation of applicable rules and principles of international humanitarian law pic.twitter.com/LpqvQefKVa
— Viet Nam at UN (NY) (@VietNam_UN) May 25, 2022
This can be done by exploring the possible linkages and bonding by seeking the advice of the experts in the related fields, enunciated the Vietnamese Ambassador.
As a result, strategies for the protection of environmental damages in conflicted areas will be brought forth along with using the methods to secure the civilian population and ensuring security on the regional level of chaotic disturbance.
The Vietnamese Ambassador stated that protecting the environment is protecting the civilians, especially in armed conflicts. He underscored the critical importance of protecting civilians in armed conflict.
Likewise, the Ambassador highlighted the importance of protecting water sources and water supply infrastructure in armed conflict areas.
Along these lines, he reaffirmed Vietnam’s viewpoint that water security is a foundation of peace, stability, and prosperity for every country and community whether rich or poor.
Furthermore, he shared that Vietnam is deeply concerned about the exploitation of water sources and supply destruction as well as its after-effects on the suffering population and water supply infrastructure.
Quoting the examples of armed conflicts damaging the water supply infrastructure, especially in Africa and the Middle East, Dang Hoang Giang stated that such issues cause displacement, starvation, homelessness, and frustration, creating havoc & forcing the people into migration and health crises.
Protection of Civilians week
Switzerland, CIVIC/World Vision, and OCHA coordinate a series of side events around the Security Council Open Debate as well as the release of the annual Protection of Civilians (POC) report of the UN Secretary-General.
The report is related to the “POC week.” The side events involve the participation of Member states, non-governmental & civil society organizations, United Nations agencies, as well as the directly affected people.
The POC characterized itself to bring together the major trends to signify the importance of POC agendas of healthy practices like consensus on the policy issues & bringing forth a transparent and democratic balance for the protection of the civilians.
In 1999, the United Nations Security Council added the Protection of Civilians in armed conflict (POC) to its agenda, thereby formally recognizing POC as a matter of international peace and security.
Resolution 1265- the Council’s first resolution on POC – set the parameters of what remains today the building block of the POC agenda.
Within the mission, the Head of the Mission, usually the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, is responsible for the implementation of PoC mandate, and the development and regulation of its strategies.
POC Mandate
The POC mandate is guided by a set of legal and practical principles which is rooted in the United Nations Charter and International Law to ensure the protection of civilians.
- A comprehensive approach must be developed in a coordinated way by the civilian and the uniformed missions in order to combat the external and internal threats for the protection of civilians.
- All members should prioritize their protection activities by their work plans, training, monitoring, and evaluation to help promote the agenda of this protection of civilians.
- Protection of civilians mandated is mainly implemented at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels which comprise three tiers:
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- Protection through dialogue and engagement.
- Provision of physical protection.
- Establishing a protective environment.
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Strategic Approach to POC
The strategic approach to POC and the abovementioned three tiers are therefore implemented along four phases:
- Pre-emption
- Prevention
- Response
- Consolidation
Vietnam at the United Nations
Vietnam joined the United Nations on the 20th of September 1977. The United Nations’ support for Vietnam began with a focus on war reconstruction and humanitarian assistance.
Vietnam made rapid changes in its economic and trade development which got acknowledged by the United Nations and resulted in more help in strengthening its institutions, agriculture, education, health, and social protection.
Furthermore, the UN helps Vietnam in promoting its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in four strategic areas:
- Investing in people
- Ensuring climate resilience and environmental sustainability
- Fostering prosperity and partnership
- Promoting justice and peace
Resolution 2573
In April 2021 when Vietnam held the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council, the Council adopted resolution 2573. The resolution focuses on the protection of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population including water supply systems.
