Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc sent an important message to the Special Session on response to the COVID-19 pandemic of the 75th United Nations General Assembly in December 3-4, 2020 in New York, USA. Photo: Thong Nhat/Vietnam News Agency (VNA)

At the close of the challenging and difficult year 2020 of the international community due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations General Assembly approved Vietnam's initiative with a Resolution to mark December 27th every year as the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness. The resolution's meaning is of great significance, which contributes to raising awareness of individuals, communities and nations on the importance, necessity and urgency of prevention, cooperation, and preparedness to respond to epidemics.

Thanks to the consent, support and joint action of the people of the country, with the front line of teams of medical doctors and active cooperation with many countries, regional and international organizations, currently Vietnam has well controlled the COVID-19 epidemic, ensured social security, recovered, and maintained high economic growth. With the achievements and as the ASEAN Chairmanship 2020, a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council 2020-2021 and a responsible member of the international community, Vietnam has proposed the initiative on marking the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness.

Proudly, this initiative has received strong and broad support from the international community, as evidenced by the fact that 112 countries co-sponsored the Resolution. This shows that Vietnam's initiative comes at the right time and responds to the high concern of the international community about the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic and other diseases of the present and the future. This is a successful milestone of policy of proactive international integration and raising the multilateral foreign policy level of Vietnam.

In the spirit of celebrating the first International Day of Epidemic Preparedness on December 27, I call for all countries, organizations and individuals to warmly respond to and effectively implement this Resolution, particularly the following contents:

First, to strengthen policy coordination, unite action and promote international cooperation as well as the efforts of multilateral institutions in global governance; the United Nations to play the central role; to repel COVID-19 and effective prevention and control of epidemics.

Second, to regard the interests of the people as the center of all policies and actions; the first priority is to protect human health and lives. In the short term, it is important to ensure that people in all countries and territories have access to COVID-19 vaccines and medicines at reasonable prices.

Third, to proactively adapt in the "new normal" period, synchronously and harmoniously implement solutions to ensure epidemic prevention and fighting in parallel with economic recovery, trade facilitation and cross-border investment, maintaining supply chains, especially essential goods, food, medical equipment, etc.

Vietnam believes that the international community will promote the will and strength of the people of each ethnic group, as well as strong solidarity and international cooperation to together overcome challenges and build better future for every nation and people.

Vietnam is always ready to contribute to that noble journey.