Saadet Gökce
23 September 2026•Update: 23 September 2026
Vietnamese President To Lam on Tuesday voiced support for Palestinians' right to self-determination and a two-state solution while urging the US to end its sanctions and energy blockade against Cuba in an address to the 81st UN General Assembly in New York.
"In every conflict, civilians must be protected, international humanitarian law must be respected, and humanitarian access must be ensured," he said, stating that Vietnam supports the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the two-state solution, with an independent State of Palestine "living peacefully alongside the State of Israel," in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions.
Hanoi has always stood in solidarity with Cuba and its people, he added, urging Washington to end the "unilateral embargo and sanctions and the energy blockade against Cuba, and to remove Cuba from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism," while also calling on the international community to help Cuba overcome the crisis caused by sanctions.
"Our institutions must be reformed to keep pace with the times, while the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter must be respected and reinforced," he said, adding that Vietnam seeks "a more equitable, democratic and inclusive international order."
Vietnam supports UN reforms, particularly of the General Assembly, Security Council and Secretariat, to improve the organization's effectiveness and better advance global agendas and the interests of developing countries, To Lam said.
He outlined four priorities: restoring trust among nations based on the UN Charter and international law; advancing equitable, inclusive and sustainable development; shaping technology governance to ensure progress serves humanity; and strengthening multilateralism and the essential role of the UN.
"All states must respect one another's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and right to choose their own path of development; refrain from interference in internal affairs; and refrain from the threat or use of force inconsistent with the UN Charter," he said.
