Vietnam shows active, responsible participation at 61st Human Rights Council session
WVR - On March 31, at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the final session took place, concluding the 61st regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), marking Vietnam's active participation and practical contributions.
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| The United Nations Human Rights Council continues to be the leading multilateral mechanism on global human rights issues with the participation of the vast majority of countries, March 2026. (Source: Vietnam Delegation in Geneva)
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From February 23 to March 31, the 61st session of the HRC took place amidst a world situation that continues to be complex, unstable, with prolonged conflicts in many regions, posing increasing challenges to the protection and assurance of human rights.
While many conflicts and crises remain unresolved, new tensions emerged during the session, particularly concerning Iran, leading the HRC to convene two urgent discussions. These included a session on March 25 at the request of Bahrain on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Jordan regarding "recent military attacks by Iran on Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE", and a session on March 27 at the request of Iran along with China and Cuba on "protecting children and educational facilities in international armed conflict: the airstrike on a primary school in Minab, Iran, a serious violation of international humanitarian law and international human rights law".
In this context, discussions at the Council continued to reflect the urgent demand of the international community to uphold international law, promote dialogue, prevent conflict escalation, and enhance the protection of human rights on the ground.
Key outcomes after six weeks of continuous work at the 61st HRC session included: (i) The High-Level Segment held in the first week, from February 23-25, 2026, with the participation and speeches of over 120 high-ranking officials from various countries, as well as leaders of UN agencies and international organizations in Geneva; (ii) The HRC conducted discussions and reviewed 38 resolutions; (iii) Organized numerous discussions and dialogues with UN human rights mechanisms, while conducting thematic discussions on integrating human rights, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, human rights and a culture of peace, financing for sustainable development linked to economic, social, and cultural rights obligations, the rights of persons with disabilities, and children's rights; (iv) Held 02 urgent discussions related to various aspects of the conflict in the Middle East; (v) Continued to review and discuss numerous human rights situations in certain regions and countries, including Ukraine, Sudan, the occupied Palestinian territories, Myanmar, Iran…; (vi) Completed the procedures for adopting the results of the 4th cycle Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of 13 countries.
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| The Iranian Foreign Minister delivered a video speech during the HRC's urgent discussion on March 27 regarding the airstrike on a girls' school in Minab, Iran. (Source: Vietnam Delegation in Geneva)
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Throughout the session, the Vietnamese delegation actively, responsibly participated in consultations on the 38 resolutions of the session, while effectively implementing two notable initiatives.
Firstly, Vietnam developed and presented a Joint Statement on gender equality in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), co-sponsored by 67 countries. The Joint Statement emphasized the need to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs to promote gender equality and empower women and girls by ensuring equal participation in decision-making processes, enhancing roles in science, technology, digital transformation, peace, security, and mobilizing financial resources for gender equality. The statement affirmed that this is a crucial condition for promoting human rights, peace, and sustainable development.
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| The Vietnamese delegation actively participated in discussions and dialogues with the Special Procedures and human rights mechanisms of the United Nations Human Rights Council. (Source: Vietnam News Agency in Geneva) |
Secondly, Vietnam co-hosted a side event with the Republic of Korea, Japan, and Thailand on the impact of online fraud on human rights, attracting wide interest, participation, and support from many countries. At the event, Vietnam shared specific experiences and efforts in addressing online fraud across four aspects: legal improvement, enhancing enforcement capacity, boosting communication to raise awareness, and strengthening international cooperation. Vietnam also affirmed its readiness to continue sharing experiences and collaborating with partners to enhance global responses to online fraud, thereby better protecting the rights and interests of the people.
In addition to the two aforementioned initiatives, Vietnam also led the development and presentation of the ASEAN Joint Statement during the discussion on financing for sustainable development in line with economic, social, and cultural rights obligations. The statement emphasized ASEAN's commitment to promoting and protecting economic, social, and cultural rights, highlighting ASEAN's efforts in resource mobilization, infrastructure development, regional connectivity enhancement, and promoting sustainable finance. It called for the establishment of a more effective, fair international financial structure, contributing to expanding fiscal space, sustainable debt management, and ensuring resources for essential public services, thereby supporting the realization of economic, social, and cultural rights, as well as the right to development.
Throughout its participation, the Vietnamese delegation also delivered national statements at many important discussions and dialogues of the session, such as dialogues with Special Rapporteurs on rights like freedom of religion, belief, cultural rights, children's rights, the right to food, the rights of persons with disabilities, the right to live in a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, human rights, and counter-terrorism… These contributions continue to demonstrate Vietnam's role as an active, responsible partner, emphasizing dialogue and cooperation, making substantial contributions to the HRC's collective efforts.
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| Ambassador Mai Phan Dung (right) leads the Vietnamese delegation at the High-Level Segment and the entire 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. (Source: VNA) |
The active, proactive, and responsible participation of the Vietnamese delegation at the 61st session reaffirms Vietnam's consistent policy and approach in promoting and protecting human rights. It also demonstrates Vietnam's readiness to enter the 2026-2028 term as a member of the Human Rights Council with a new mindset, new determination, and resilience forged through development achievements and significant domestic political milestones, particularly the success of the 14th National Congress.
In the context of a world situation that continues to be complex, unpredictable, with increasing strategic competition, and prolonged conflict and instability in many regions, Vietnam will continue to work with the international community to promote dialogue, cooperation, uphold respect for international law and the UN Charter, protect common human values, and make substantial, responsible contributions to joint efforts for peace, stability, sustainable development, and human rights for all.
