Vietnam makes a strong mark at the 55th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council

The 55th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council concluded on April 5th, completing its agenda with the adoption of 32 resolutions and 2 decisions.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk. Photo: Anh Hien/VNA correspondent in Switzerland.

The UN Human Rights Council successfully completed its 55th session with a record workload and meeting duration, against a backdrop of ongoing challenges such as strategic competition, the war in Ukraine, the Hamas-Israel conflict, climate change, food, energy, and water insecurity, and various social injustices. This session of the UN Human Rights Council successfully held a high-level meeting; seven thematic discussions on universal human rights, combating religious hatred leading to incitement to discrimination, hostility, and violence, challenges and best practices in ensuring social security and quality public services, and the rights of persons with disabilities; two discussions on the rights of children; commemoration of the International Day Against Racism; discussions and dialogues on approximately 36 special procedures and human rights mechanisms of the UN; and discussions and dialogues on the human rights situation in countries around the world .

During the session, the UN Human Rights Council also considered and discussed approximately 80 reports; consulted on and adopted 32 draft thematic resolutions; adopted reports on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism on human rights from 14 countries; and decided to postpone some Human Rights Council activities and to adopt a hybrid online and in-person meeting format.

The Vietnamese delegation, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, attended the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council in its capacity as a member of the Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term. In his opening remarks, Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that human rights can only be best guaranteed when peace, stability, international law are maintained and respected, the State places its people at the center of all policies, and ensures inclusive and sustainable development. The Minister reiterated Vietnam's priorities in participating in the UN Human Rights Council, including protecting vulnerable groups, gender equality, digital transformation, and human rights. To continue making positive contributions and demonstrating a strong commitment to the work of the UN Human Rights Council, Minister Bui Thanh Son declared and called on countries to support Vietnam's re-election as a member of the Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term.

Furthermore, the Vietnamese delegation actively participated in numerous sessions and discussions on ensuring specific rights such as the right to a clean and sustainable environment; the right to food; the right to culture; the rights of persons with disabilities; and the rights of children. In addition, the Vietnamese delegation actively engaged in dialogue, exchange, and consultation with delegations from other countries, co-sponsoring several initiatives in the spirit of dialogue and cooperation; and fulfilled its duties as a member of the Human Rights Council in consulting and voting on 32 draft resolutions and 2 decisions of the Human Rights Council.

Along with other ASEAN countries, the Vietnamese delegation delivered a joint speech on a topic of common interest and shared concern among ASEAN countries in the areas of fisheries exploitation and ensuring the right to food. Vietnam also spoke on behalf of the Core Group on Human Rights and Climate Change – comprising Vietnam, Bangladesh, and the Philippines – during the dialogue session related to the report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change on the enjoyment of the right to food. Furthermore, on behalf of the inter-regional group, Vietnam presented two joint speeches with strong co-sponsorship from other countries, calling for accelerated progress in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals to promote gender equality and protect essential infrastructure for people in armed conflict.

In their statements, the Vietnamese delegation highlighted the consistent policy, efforts, and achievements in promoting and protecting human rights; affirmed Vietnam's commitment to sustainable development for the benefit of its people; emphasized the need to address inequality and protect vulnerable groups; called for addressing global challenges such as climate change and protecting human rights in armed conflicts; and reaffirmed Vietnam's commitment to strengthening constructive cooperation with countries, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Human Rights Council, and its mechanisms to promote and protect human rights for all on the basis of respect for the UN Charter, international human rights treaties, ensuring national sovereignty, and the principles of objectivity, fairness, constructive dialogue, and cooperation.

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