Vietnam ready to cooperate with partners to promote a comprehensive human rights: Ambassador at UNHRC

Ambassador Mai Phan Dung (right), Head of the Vietnamese Delegation in Geneva, attended the opening session of the 58th United Nations Human Rights Council. (Source: VNA)

On February 24, the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council opened in Geneva, Switzerland. The high-level segment had the attendance of Heads of state, senior officials from UN member states, the President of the General Assembly, the Secretary-General, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as leaders of intergovernmental international organizations and non-governmental organizations.

In his opening speech, UN General Assembly President Philemon Yang and UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted serious global human rights challenges, including war, inequality, climate change, and unregulated technology. They called for an end to conflicts in Ukraine, Palestine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, and Haiti while advocating for peaceful solutions based on international law and the UN Charter. They also emphasized the role of human rights in sustainable development, particularly in gender equality, education, and global financial reform to support poorer nations.

Secretary-General Guterres urged the implementation of the “Pact for the Future” to strengthen peace, development, the rule of law, climate action, and technology governance, aiming to protect human rights and build a fairer world.

Also at the event, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk noted that the global human rights system is under unprecedented pressure due to conflicts, inequality, the climate crisis, and technological abuses. He called for accountability and respect for international law in conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Afghanistan, and Haiti.

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High Commissioner Volker Türk warned that rising inequality, climate change, and digital technology are eroding human rights. He cautioned that artificial intelligence could be misused for surveillance and information manipulation, while social media platforms contribute to societal division. He emphasized the role of human rights in governance, economics, and society and urged increased investment in human rights protection mechanisms. He also called on leaders to act based on truth, law, and compassion to uphold human dignity and build a fairer future.

According to the agenda, Volker Türk will continue presenting reports on notable human rights situations in various regions worldwide, including Myanmar, Ukraine, Sudan, Haiti, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

At this session, the Vietnamese delegation, led by Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Head of the Vietnamese Delegation in Geneva, participated and contributed to discussions on key topics such as climate change, children's rights, and the rights of persons with disabilities, along with other issues of common international concern.

The Ambassador affirmed Vietnam’s strong cooperation with the Council, saying that the country completed its fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) last September and is devising a master plan to implement the accepted recommendations. In 2025, Vietnam will conduct dialogues on its national reports regarding the implementation of key international human rights treaties, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

Despite many challenges, Ambassador Mai Phan Dung said, the Vietnamese economy grew by over 7 per cent in 2024, while the country’s multidimensional poverty rate fell to 1.9 per cent, health insurance coverage was expanded, and education quality was improved nationwide.

Vietnam targeted an economic growth rate of over 8 per cent in 2025, paving the way for double-digit growth from 2026 onward and creating better conditions for human rights advancement.

Ambassador Mai Phan Dung also reaffirmed the country’s commitment to climate change response, with a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 and a focus on ensuring a just energy transition. At the 56th session of the UNHRC in 2024, Vietnam, together with Bangladesh and the Philippines, introduced an annual resolution on human rights and climate change, which focused on a just transition.

Underscoring Vietnam’s proactive role in promoting and protecting human rights, the ambassador announced Vietnam’s candidacy for the UNHRC for the 2026-2028 term, with strong support from ASEAN member states.

He affirmed Vietnam's readiness to cooperate with partners to promote a comprehensive human rights agenda based on dialogues and cooperation.

The 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council is expected to continue in person from February 24 to April 4, 2025. The session will include four dialogues with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, seven thematic discussions, and 25 dialogues with Special Procedures. It will also review and discuss 80 specialized reports and adopt the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) reports of 14 countries.

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