Vietnam re-runs for Human Rights Council for 2026-2028 term, promotes international solidarity and inclusive, sustainable development

On the morning of February 26 (Switzerland time), Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son attended and spoke at the High-level Session of the 55th Regular Session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

Việt Nam tái ứng cử Hội đồng Nhân quyền nhiệm kỳ 2026-2028, thúc đẩy đoàn kết quốc tế và phát triển bao trùm, bền vững

Minister Bui Thanh Son speaks at the High-Level Session of the 55th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council, which opened on the morning of February 26 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo: Nhat Phong)

Attending the High-level Session were 1 President, 9 Vice Presidents/Deputy Prime Ministers and 83 Ministers of UN member countries, along with the President of the General Assembly, the Secretary-General and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Speaking at the meeting, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said that after more than 75 years of adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and 30 years of adopting the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action on Human Rights, humanity is still facing many challenges such as strategic competition, armed conflicts, climate change, food insecurity, energy, water resources and many other social injustices.

The Minister affirmed that human rights can only be best guaranteed when peace, stability, and international law are maintained and respected, the State puts people at the center of all policies, and ensures inclusive and sustainable development.

According to the head of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Human Rights Council should focus on promoting the highest priorities for people, which are the enjoyment of economic, social, cultural rights, the right to development, and the protection of vulnerable groups. The Minister suggested that the Human Rights Council pay attention to promoting the implementation of Resolution 52/19 proposed by Vietnam, especially calling on countries to promote mutual respect and understanding, tolerance, inclusiveness, unity and respect for differences, dialogue, and cooperation.

Highlighting Vietnam's efforts in protecting human rights, Minister Bui Thanh Son said that in 2023, Vietnam's economy will grow by over 5%, with the poverty rate falling to 3%, while continuing to spend an average of about 3% of GDP annually on social security. In 2023, Vietnam will export over 8 million tons of rice, thereby contributing to ensuring food security and food rights for millions of people in many regions of the world.

The Minister also reaffirmed Vietnam's priorities when participating in the Human Rights Council, including protecting vulnerable groups, gender equality, digital transformation and human rights.

At the 56th Session in June, Vietnam will propose an annual resolution on ensuring human rights in the context of climate change. The Minister shared that Vietnam has submitted its National Report under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) cycle IV, in which it has fully implemented nearly 90% of the recommendations received in 2019.

To continue Vietnam's positive contributions, strong commitments and willingness to contribute, Minister Bui Thanh Son announced and called on countries to support Vietnam's re-election as a member of the Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term.

The Vietnamese delegation led by Minister Bui Thanh Son attended the High-level Session of the 55th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council. (Photo: Nhat Phong)

At the Session, delegates from various countries emphasized that the world situation continues to evolve in a complex manner with increasing challenges to the protection of human rights such as armed conflicts and instability in many areas, especially in Gaza, along with a series of increasingly complex global challenges such as climate change, environmental degradation, and food security. In addition, the rapid and strong development of technology, especially artificial intelligence, is increasingly posing new challenges to the full and comprehensive protection of human rights.

UN leaders also said that currently, armed conflicts and instability are seriously affecting the enjoyment of human rights, and warned that there are two wars against the poor and the environment, in which vulnerable groups are the ones who suffer the most severe consequences.

UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis called on the Human Rights Council to step up dialogue, seek comprehensive common solutions, respond to the concerns of developing countries and small islands on climate change, promote gender equality, protect the rights of vulnerable groups, provide humanitarian assistance to people in conflict, and address the root causes of discrimination, racism and the consequences of colonialism.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the need to promote peace and protect human rights, promote the role of multilateralism, respect international humanitarian and human rights law, and protect civilians and civil infrastructure in conflicts.

At the same time, call on countries to support major UN agendas and initiatives such as the Future Summit in September 2024; the Global Digital Agreement, and accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Mr. Guterres said that it is necessary to reform outdated international financial institutions to be fairer for developing countries, as well as ensure climate justice, in which G20 countries must take the lead in cutting fossil fuels, and developed countries must provide financial support for adaptation activities of developing countries.

High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed concern about the escalating conflicts in many places, affecting millions of people; emphasized the contribution of the UN human rights system and countries in 2023 to the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with 150 countries and 255 international organizations participating in making 770 voluntary commitments.

The 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council takes place from February 26 to April 5 and will consider 10 topics, discussing issues such as the rights of people with disabilities, children's rights, combating religious hatred, dialogue with special rapporteurs, etc.

In 2024, the Human Rights Council will have two more regular sessions, scheduled to be held in June/July and September/October.

The High-level Session of the 55th Session of the UN Human Rights Council marks the beginning of Vietnam's second year as a member of the Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term, following 2023 with many milestones and initiatives welcomed and strongly supported by the international community, notably the Resolution on the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30th Anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action introduced by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang at the High-level Session of the 52nd Session of the Human Rights Council (March 2023) with 121 co-sponsoring countries.

2024 is also an important pivotal year for Vietnam's participation in the Human Rights Council because it is the first time we will defend the Report under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism of the Human Rights Council's fourth cycle.

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