The 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council closed, adopting a resolution proposed by Vietnam, the Philippines and Bangladesh.

Throughout the Session, the Vietnamese Delegation actively contacted, exchanged, and consulted with delegations of other countries, participated in developing the content of documents, and co-sponsored many initiatives in the spirit of dialogue and cooperation.

Khóa họp 53 Hội đồng Nhân quyền LHQ kết thúc, thông qua Nghị quyết do Việt Nam cùng Philippines và Bangladesh đề xuất

Assistant Minister Nguyen Minh Vu, Head of the Vietnamese delegation, attended the 53rd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council and delivered an important speech. (Source: VNA)

On July 14 at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the UN Human Rights Council (HURC) concluded its 53rd regular session, with 30 resolutions adopted, including a resolution on climate change and human rights drafted and proposed by Vietnam, Bangladesh and the Philippines. The resolution highlights the negative impacts of climate change on livelihoods and human rights, emphasizing the need for international cooperation to overcome these impacts.

The 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, taking place from June 19 to July 14 in a combined in-person and online format, attracted the participation of many representatives of countries, international intergovernmental organizations and a number of non-governmental organizations, including: 5 thematic discussion sessions, discussion sessions, dialogues with 37 special procedures and human rights mechanisms of the UN, many consultation sessions on draft resolutions.

In particular, the session held an urgent discussion on the topic “The alarming increase in premeditated and public acts of religious hatred, as evidenced by repeated acts of desecration of the Koran in a number of European and other countries”. As a result of the session, the Human Rights Council adopted 30 resolutions and completed the procedure for adopting the entire UPR Cycle IV Report of 13 countries.

The Vietnamese delegation, led by Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, actively attended the Session, with many statements and consultations. In addition, the Vietnamese delegation, together with Bangladesh and the Philippines, co-organized a thematic discussion on climate change and human rights with the theme “Negative impacts of climate change on the full realization of the right to food”.

The discussion session attracted the participation of many representatives of countries, international organizations such as the UN Population Fund and a number of Geneva-based non-governmental organizations.

At this discussion, speakers and delegates emphasized the urgency and necessity of action to address the adverse impacts of climate change and protect the human rights of current and future generations; affirmed the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as floods and droughts that directly impact food security; and called on the international community to provide urgent support to address the challenges caused by climate change.

Vietnamese delegation at the session to adopt the Resolution on climate change and human rights, July 12. (Source: VNA)

Previously, on July 12, the UN Human Rights Council unanimously adopted the 2023 Resolution on Climate Change and Human Rights, with the theme “ Negative impacts of climate change on livelihoods and their impact on human rights ”, with a large number of co-sponsors (80 co-sponsors, as of the end of July 14, Geneva time). This is the success of the efforts from the proposal, drafting of content, consultation and advocacy of the Vietnamese Delegation together with the Delegations of Bangladesh and the Philippines in Geneva.

This year’s UNSC resolution on climate change and human rights recognises the link between climate change and erosion of livelihoods; and highlights the need to address gaps in the protection of human rights, particularly the rights of women and girls, in the context of climate change.

The resolution also affirms the role of women in decision-making and policy-making on climate change; calls for the implementation of funding agreements, as decided at COP27, to support developing countries in preventing, minimizing and addressing loss and damage caused by climate change.... The resolution on climate change and human rights has been introduced annually by Vietnam, Bangladesh and the Philippines - the Core Group of 3 countries since 2014.

Vietnam's active participation in the Core Group to develop and introduce the annual Resolution of the UN Human Rights Council on this topic reflects Vietnam's efforts in promoting and protecting human rights as well as in responding to climate change, while contributing to implementing a proactive, positive, and responsible foreign policy towards common issues of the international community.

Assistant Minister Nguyen Minh Vu speaks at the International Symposium on Combating Gender-Based Discrimination, Violence and Harassment in the Workplace, July 3, in person in Geneva and online. (Source: Permanent Mission of Vietnam in Geneva)

Notably, within the framework of participating in this Session, the Vietnamese Delegation in Geneva coordinated with the Delegations of the United States and Argentina to co-organize an International Dialogue on Combating Gender-Based Discrimination, Violence and Harassment in the Workplace (July 3, in person in Geneva and online).

Speaking at the seminar, Assistant Minister Nguyen Minh Vu affirmed that although Vietnam is in the process of studying the possibility of joining the 2019 Convention No. 190 on this topic of the International Labor Organization (ILO), Vietnam wishes to promote dialogue between countries and international organizations and relevant parties to share experiences and the need for international cooperation to address the issue of discrimination, violence and harassment based on gender in the workplace.

Also at the Seminar, delegates shared many rich experiences in strengthening the legal system, raising awareness and ensuring the participation of workers, especially female workers, businesses, trade unions... in preparing conditions and capacity to participate in ILO Convention 190.

The Vietnamese delegation actively spoke at many meetings and discussions on many topics such as climate change and the right to food, social protection and women's participation and leadership, the right to health, the right to education, human trafficking, extreme poverty, and combating violence against women and girls...

In the speeches, the Vietnamese delegation emphasized that Vietnam prioritizes strengthening the rule of law, transparency, security and social safety as well as carrying out necessary legal and economic reforms to support the recovery process after the Covid-19 pandemic and inclusive and sustainable development; affirming that Vietnam's motto during its term as a member of the UN Human Rights Council for 2023-2025 is Dialogue and cooperation, Respect and understanding, Human rights for all.

Together with ASEAN countries, the Vietnamese delegation also made a number of joint statements on ASEAN topics of common concern and sharing such as technical cooperation and capacity building, climate change and human rights, social protection and women's participation and leadership.

During the Session, the Vietnamese Delegation actively contacted, exchanged, and consulted with delegations of other countries, participated in developing the content of documents, co-sponsored many initiatives in the spirit of dialogue and cooperation, demonstrating Vietnam's consistent viewpoints, policies, and achievements in promoting and protecting human rights, contributing with other countries to ensure that the activities of the Human Rights Council are consistent with the basic principles of international law.

The active participation of the Vietnamese delegation at the 53rd Session of the UNSC, along with the organization of the thematic discussion and the above-mentioned Dialogue, demonstrates Vietnam's efforts and responsibility as a member of the UNSC for the 2023-2025 term.

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