UNGA 81: Ambassador Do Hung Viet speaks at the Rule of Law Discussion at the Legal Committee
WVR - Vietnam promotes the rule of law through practical actions and contributions at both national and international levels.
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| Ambassador, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN Do Hung Viet speaks at the Rule of law discussion at the Legal Committee (Committee 6) of the United Nations General Assembly. (Source: Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN) |
From October 7-9, at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York, the Legal Committee (Committee 6) of the 81st UN General Assembly held discussions on the topic “Rule of Law at the National and International Levels,” attracting participation and speeches from most member states and observers.
In their speeches, countries affirmed that ensuring the rule of law is the foundation for peace, security, international cooperation, and sustainable development. They called for peaceful dispute resolution, ensuring justice, and access to justice. Delegates highly appreciated the role and contributions of UN agencies in the codification and progressive development of international law. They suggested enhancing substantive dialogue and timely exchanges between the ILC and member states at Committee 6 to ensure that international law reflects the voices and legal practices of different regions and legal systems, especially contributions from developing countries.
Participating in the discussion, Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN, emphasised that the effectiveness and credibility of international law depend on countries interpreting and applying it in good faith, consistently, and without selectivity, especially the fundamental principles of the UN Charter such as sovereign equality, respect for territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, non-threat or use of force, peaceful dispute resolution, and the faithful implementation of international obligations through practical actions.
In this spirit, addressing maritime issues, the Ambassador, Head of the Vietnamese Delegation, affirmed that the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is the legal framework for all activities at sea and oceans. All claims, conduct at sea, and the resolution of maritime disputes, including in the East Sea, must comply with UNCLOS. While disputes remain unresolved, relevant parties should exercise restraint, manage disagreements responsibly, and avoid actions that escalate or complicate the situation.
Emphasizing the close connection between the rule of law at the international and national levels, Ambassador Do Hung Viet shared Vietnam's notable efforts in comprehensive reform of law-making and enforcement in recent times, such as reviewing thousands of documents for amendment, replacement, or abolition to address overlaps, contradictions, and remove barriers to development; continuing to improve criminal and fisheries laws; strengthening copyright protection and intellectual property rights; and expanding legal dissemination to the public and businesses.
Through numerous efforts to update and perfect, Vietnam has established a legal framework governing the use of digital technology, personal data protection, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation; upgraded the National Database on Laws and expanded digital platforms for legal information access, legal education, and legal aid.
Regarding contributions to strengthening the rule of law at the international level, Vietnam is the third country in the world to ratify the UN Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention); is actively preparing for the full and effective implementation of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), while continuing to actively contribute to many international legal forums and bodies. Vietnam is committed to persistently promoting the rule of law domestically and cooperating closely with partners to protect the international order based on international law.
| The Legal Committee (Committee 6) is one of the six main committees of the UN General Assembly, with participation from all 193 member states, tasked with considering legal issues, promoting codification, and progressive development of international law. The topic “Rule of Law at the National and International Levels” has been discussed annually by the UN General Assembly since 2006. |
