Việt Nam chairs meeting over visit to South Sudan

As Chair of the UN Security Council (UNSC) Committee established pursuant to Resolution 2206 (2015) concerning South Sudan, Ambassador Đặng Đình Quý, Permanent Representative of Việt Nam to the UN, chaired a meeting on Thursday (local time) discussing the visit to South Sudan from November 16-20 by a committee delegation led by Quý.

Quý briefed the participants on the outcomes of the visit, which was organised to implement the UNSC Resolution 2577 (2021), which encourages the committee’s Chair to conduct field trips to South Sudan to monitor the implementation of measures of the council’s resolutions related to the African country and the peace process in the country.

During this visit, Quý sought information and assessments of the South Sudanese Government and related partners on the political, security and humanitarian situation in the country, the progress of the implementation of the 2018 Peace Agreement in South Sudan, and the implementation of review criteria under the UNSC Resolution 2577 (2021), thus creating a basis for the council to review and consider adjusting or lifting the arms embargo related to South Sudan in 2022.

The Vietnamese representative welcomed the progress in South Sudan since the establishment of the Transitional Government. As this was the last meeting of the Committee chaired by Việt Nam in the 2020-21 term, Ambassador Quý expressed his thanks for the support and cooperation of the Committee's member countries and the UN Secretariat during the period.

Quý briefed the participants on the outcomes of the visit, which was organised to implement the UNSC Resolution 2577 (2021), which encourages the committee’s Chair to conduct field trips to South Sudan to monitor the implementation of measures of the council’s resolutions related to the African country and the peace process in the country.

Committee member countries emphasised that the visit chaired by Việt Nam helped countries better understand the situation in South Sudan and the results of the implementation of the 2018 Peace Agreement. They also expressed their gratitude for Việt Nam’s contributions in the past two years as the Chair of the Committee.

The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2206 (2015) concerning South Sudan oversees the sanctions imposed by the Security Council.

Non-permanent member countries of the UNSC take turns to assume the position as Chair of the Committee.

Investigation on ISIL crimes in Iraq

Addressing a UN Security Council (UNSC) discussion on Thursday, Ambassador Quý said Việt Nam hopes the UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (UNITAD) will complete its investigation activities in Iraq soon.

He lauded the performance of UNITAD in investigation and evidence collection activities so far despite difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He reiterated Việt Nam’s support for efforts against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and strongly condemned the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere and under any circumstances.

The Vietnamese representative proposed that UNITAD strengthen cooperation with the Iraqi Government, the regional and local administrations and leaders of religions, while applying measures to protect witnesses, and continuing to assist the building of legal corridor to create the legal basis for the prosecution of ISIL members in Iraq.

Việt Nam called on the international community to increase support to the UNITAD in performing its tasks in line with international law, related resolutions of the UNSC and principles of the UN Charter, including respect to sovereignty rights, territorial integrity, independence and unity of Iraq, Quý said.

Christian Ritscher, Special Adviser and Head of the UNITAD said that significant steps have been taken in the pursuit of justice and securing accountability for victims, including by gathering and analysing evidence of crimes perpetrated by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/DA’ESH), and tying those crimes to specific members.

UNSC members recognised the efforts and strong performance of the UNITAD, pledging continued support for the team in implementing its tasks.