Credit: Gary Raynaldo /   Kersti Kaljulaid, President of Republic of Estonia,  speaks to press outside General Assembly at UN world headquarters June 7, 2019, after nations election to Security Council

By Gary Raynaldo   DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

UNITED NATIONS  –  Estonia, Tunisia, and Vietnam also garnered coveted seats on the UN Security Council Friday. Estonia won a seat with 132 votes during a runoff with Romania, which picked up 58.  This is the first time that Estonia will sit on the Security Council.   During  its campaign, Estonia placed cyber-security high on its list of priorities, including in the context of responding to cyber-attacks, and developing international norms and standards to deal with the issue. Credit: Gary Raynaldo /  Kersti Kaljulaid, President of Republic of Estonia,  General Assembly at UN world headquarters June 7, 2019.

“Estonia will strive to represent  all countries in the United Nations with honesty, integrity and transparency. Our Ambassador has promised to be open to discussions with all countries all representatives  of all countries here in New York. In a way,  it is a long journey for our country we gained independence just 30 years ago and we now felt we are ready to take responsibility to take part in even these very hardest debates we have in the multilateral system in United Nations Security Council. “

 – Kersti Kaljulaid, President of Republic of Estonia.

Diplomatic Times /  Kersti Kaljulaid, President of Republic of Estonia,  General Assembly at UN world headquarters June 7, 2019.

Thank you! #Estonia is member of #UNSC in 2020-21! pic.twitter.com/2vMbsbZTHd

— Kersti Kaljulaid (@KerstiKaljulaid) June 7, 2019

Vietnam Gets  Seat On UN Security Council

Credit: Gary Raynaldo   /   Le Hoai Trung, Vice Minsiter for Affairs of Viet Nam outside UN General Assembly June 7, 2019.

Viet Nam became a UN member in 1977 and has served on the Security Council once (2008-2009). Viet Nam states iti s a strong proponent of multilateralism, both globally and regionally, to promote sustainable development, build inclusive societies, and protect and promote human rights. It has continued to address the aftermath of armed conflict, including threats to civilian populations posed by landmines, which is a problem in Viet Nam.

Diplomatic Times / Le Hoai Trung, Vice Minsiter for Affairs of Viet Nam.

Tunisia To Promote Arab/African Issues On UN Security Council 

Credit: Gary Raynaldo /  Khemaies Jhinaoui, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tunisia, speaks to  press outside General Assembly June 7 2019

TUNISIA has emphasized that peace, security, development and human rights are interrelated. Expect Tunisia to be actively involved in strengthening ties between UN and the AU, and League of Arab States; the peaceful and negotiated settlement of disputes, such as conflicts  in Africa, particularly now in Sudan, and conflict in the Middle East, the Palestine issue most importantly, and the fight against terrorism.

Diplomatic Times / Khemaies Jhinaoui, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Tunisia.