Vietnam's re-election to the United Nations Human Rights Council: A moment of pride and emotion
WVR - This is the sentiment shared by Chief of the Office of the Standing Agency of the Human Rights Steering Committee Dang Xuan Hong upon hearing the good news of Vietnam's re-election to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term.
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| Chief of the Office of the Standing Agency of the Human Rights Steering Committee Dang Xuan Hong. (Source: Offiec of the Standing Agency of the Human Rights Steering Committee) |
On the occasion of Vietnam's re-election to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term, Chief of the Office of the Standing Agency of the Human Rights Steering Committee Dang Xuan Hong gave an exclusive interview to World & Vietnam Report about the significance of this event and his feelings upon seeing Vietnam's efforts to ensure and promote human rights recognized by the international community through supportive votes.
How do you assess the significance of Vietnam being elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the third time and for the second consecutive term?
It can be affirmed that Vietnam's third election to the United Nations Human Rights Council with a very high number of votes demonstrates the international community's recognition of Vietnam's role and credibility at the most important multilateral forum on human rights of the United Nations.
This is particularly meaningful as our country is entering a new era with strong transformations, accelerating breakthroughs for a prosperous, powerful, and happy development.
This result further affirms the path that the Party, State, and people of Vietnam are taking is correct, not only stemming from the good nature of our regime but also aligning with the trend of humanity, aiming for and by the people.
This election helps strengthen the people's confidence and ignite national pride in the leadership and direction of the Party and Government, while also paving the way for Vietnam to expand cooperative relations with international partners in various fields, continuing to promote its role in addressing global multilateral issues on human rights.
| "Vietnam's third election to the United Nations Human Rights Council with a very high number of votes demonstrates the international community's recognition of Vietnam's role and credibility at the most important multilateral forum on human rights of the United Nations." (Chief of the Office of the Standing Agency of the Human Rights Steering Committee Dang Xuan Hong) |
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| The Vietnamese delegation rejoices as Vietnam is re-elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term. (Source: Vietnam Mission to the UN) |
In your opinion, what led countries to vote for Vietnam?
It is not by chance that Vietnam was elected with a very high number of votes, 180 out of 188, the highest among Asia-Pacific countries.
This is the result of Vietnam's relentless efforts over the past period, especially during the 2023-2025 Human Rights Council membership term, with vivid evidence from the practical achievements in ensuring and promoting human rights in Vietnam on both national and international levels.
Firstly, we have actively improved the legal framework on human rights by promulgating and amending numerous laws to better ensure human rights in line with international standards, while meeting the demands in the new context. Political security has been maintained.
Economic growth has been sustained at a relatively high level compared to the region and the world, with the average GDP growth rate for 2021-2025 at about 6.3%. The Human Development Index (HDI) has continuously increased, people's living standards have improved, and many policies have been implemented synchronously to ensure social security, poverty reduction, and care for vulnerable groups in society.
On the international level, Vietnam has increasingly affirmed its role and credibility at international multilateral institutions, particularly through contributions as a member of the Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term.
This is a solid foundation for the international community to continue placing trust and expectations on Vietnam for the 2026-2028 term.
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| The Vietnamese inter-agency delegation attends the voting session for members of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term. (Photo: Bao Chi) |
As one of the units directly involved in efforts to ensure and promote human rights in Vietnam, contributing to the international community's common efforts, can you share your feelings when seeing these efforts recognized by the international community through supportive votes?
Vietnam's success in this Human Rights Council election is the result of all ministries, sectors, and localities under the close direction of the Human Rights Steering Committee, which have contributed to strongly implementing human rights work across all fields, creating a vibrant picture of the human rights situation presented to the world. This is a process of persistent effort.
Therefore, upon receiving the voting results, I was deeply moved and filled with pride — moved because our tireless efforts had been recognized, and proud because the name Vietnam was announced with the overwhelming support of United Nations member states.
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| The Vietnamese inter-agency delegation during the voting session for Resolutions of the 60th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. (Source: Vietnam Mission in Geneva) |
What advantages and challenges does Vietnam face as it assumes the role of a member of the Human Rights Council for the upcoming 2026-2028 term?
Some clear advantages can be seen:
Firstly, Vietnam has experience in serving as a member of the Human Rights Council with results recognized by the international community.
Secondly, Vietnam's high position and credibility on the international stage, with economic, cultural, and social development policies placing people at the centre. The work of ensuring and promoting human rights is increasingly being carried out better and more comprehensively in practice.
Thirdly, the unity and determination of the entire political system under the consistent and thorough leadership and direction of the Party and Government, especially the role of the Human Rights Steering Committee, have created a unified mindset and action from central to local levels in promoting human rights work.
However, in the context of an unstable and unpredictable world with multifaceted impacts on ensuring and promoting human rights, Vietnam also faces challenges:
Firstly, international expectations will be higher for a member with experience in two terms at the Human Rights Council, leading to greater pressures requiring Vietnam to make further efforts to promote initiatives that contribute effectively and positively to peacebuilding and ensuring human rights, especially in the context of an unstable world, threats to human rights from armed conflicts, non-traditional security issues like climate change, pandemics, while UN resources are declining.
Secondly, certainly, individuals and organizations with ill intentions and extremism will thoroughly use Vietnam's membership in the Human Rights Council to increase monitoring, pressure, and impose "criteria" and demands on us, even spreading false information to tarnish Vietnam's image.
However, with its position, credibility, and trust, the broad support of the international community, and the unity of the entire political system, I am confident that Vietnam is confident and ready for the 2026-2028 UN Human Rights Council membership term, contributing to the successful implementation of the Party's foreign policy and the correct and important policies of the Party and State on protecting and promoting human rights.
Thank you very much!
| "Upon receiving the voting results, I was extremely moved and proud. Moved because our efforts have been recognized; proud because the words Vietnam were announced with the support of most United Nations member countries." (Chief of the Office of the Standing Agency of the Human Rights Steering Committee Đặng Xuân Hồng) |
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| Photo exhibition "Vietnam – Member of the United Nations Human Rights Council: Respect and Understanding. Dialogue and Cooperation. All Human Rights – For All People" organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security on October 13 in New York. (Source: Offiec of the Standing Agency of the Human Rights Steering Committee) |
