Vietnam's re-election to the UNHRC - A triumph of foreign policy and the maturity of multilateral diplomacy
WVR - Immediately after Vietnam was re-elected to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Head of the Vietnamese Mission to the UN (2014-2018 term), shared with The World and Vietnam Report the significance of this ‘major good news’ as a triumph of foreign policy and the maturity of multilateral diplomacy.
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| Vietnam's re-election to the UNHRC - A triumph of foreign policy and the maturity of multilateral diplomacy: The Vietnamese delegation at the UN Human Rights Council voting session, delighted as Vietnam is re-elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term. (Source: Vietnamese Mission to the UN) |
Vietnam has just been re-elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term. I am very pleased, moved, and proud of this major good news. This marks the first time Vietnam has been elected twice consecutively to the Human Rights Council, with a high number of votes to a highly significant body within the UN system. Vietnam's victory in one of the most challenging elections holds great significance.
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| Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Head of the Vietnamese Mission to the UN (2014-2018 term). |
Firstly, this reflects the high trust of the international community in Vietnam, recognizing Vietnam's achievements in ensuring and promoting human rights, as well as its important and constructive contributions to promoting human rights globally and the work of the Human Rights Council during its three-year membership.
The Human Rights Council has witnessed Vietnam's remarkable progress in socio-economic development, with the material and spiritual life of the people being enhanced. Numerous legal and administrative reforms have been vigorously implemented, placing people at the center, all for the happiness and better lives of the citizens.
Vietnam successfully defended its National Report on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Cycle IV (May 2024), the National Report on the Implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD, November 2023), the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD, March 2025), and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR, July 2025).
Simultaneously, Vietnam has proposed many significant initiatives, leaving a strong impression at the Human Rights Council. Vietnam proposed and drafted 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 at the 52nd Session of the Human Rights Council (March 2023); was the lead drafter of the Resolution on Climate Change and Human Rights in the Context of Just Transition at the 56th Session of the Human Rights Council (June 2024); was part of the Core Group drafting the Resolution on Protecting and Empowering Children in the Digital Environment (June 2025); drafted 11 joint statements with co-sponsorship from many countries; organized 5 side events with participation from numerous nations...
Secondly, this is a victory for Vietnam's foreign policy, marking a new milestone in the maturity of Vietnam's multilateral diplomacy! We have demonstrated Vietnam's resilience, the ability to rise and play an active role in multilateral institutions, contributing to enhancing the country's international reputation!
Thirdly, continued participation in the UN Human Rights Council provides Vietnam with opportunities to strengthen cooperation with member countries, exchange, and share experiences in the field of human rights, and continue contributing to the Council's work to better ensure human rights worldwide.
I would like to congratulate and share the joy with Vietnamese diplomats. I am confident that we will excellently fulfill our mission at the Human Rights Council this term, living up to the trust and expectations that UN member countries and the international community have placed in Vietnam!
