Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc discussed global peace, climate change, sea disputes, and several other matters with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during his ongoing trip to Japan.

The two officials convened a bilateral meeting Thursday afternoon on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in in Ise-Shima, according to theVietnam News Agency.

The summit is scheduled for Thursday and Friday at the Shima Kanko Hotel, where PM Phuc is in attendance.

PM Phuc stressed Vietnam’s commitment to contributing to the world’s peace and sustainable development as part of efforts exerted by the United Nations, and fulfilling its missions as a member of several UN bodies, namely the Human Rights Council and the Economic and Social Council.

According to the Vietnamese head of government, Hanoi has been executing the Paris Agreement adopted at the 21^st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  

He also extended his gratitude toward the UN for actively assisting Vietnam in the emergency support for citizens affected by the severe drought and salinization that hit southern Vietnam earlier this year.

On behalf of the United Nations, Moon praised Vietnam’s contributions to the organization and promised to continue supporting the Southeast Asian country in carrying out its peacekeeping mission as a member of the United Nations.

Several special envoys have been dispatched to numerous nations worldwide, including Vietnam, to provide assistance in dealing with the influence of climate change, according to Ban.

Regarding the situation in the East Vietnam Sea, the UN leader reiterated his stance on settling all disputes via peaceful measures in accordance with international law including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Moon also noted that he hopes China and ASEAN member nations will comply with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Vietnam Sea (DOC) and soon establish a Code of Conduct (DOC).

ASEAN is short for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which is a political and economic organization whose members include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

PM Phuc also held talks with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on the same day to discuss strengthening ties between the two countries, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

The two parties agreed to boost their relationship by conducting exchanges at all levels, establishing bilateral cooperation enhancement measures, supporting each other in multi-lateral forums, and others.

Focus will be directed towards collaboration in agriculture and the development of Sri Lanka-Vietnam trade turnover.

President Sirisena backed Vietnam’s standpoint relating to the issues in the East Vietnam Sea, before extending an invitation to visit Sri Lanka to his Vietnamese counterpart Tran Dai Quang.

The Vietnamese premier had an opportunity to sit down for a talk with several other officials, including Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Christine Lagarde, Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Angel Gurria, and leaders of local authorities and businesses.