Vietnam’s Active Participation in UN Rights Council Yields Positive Results
Vietnam has demonstrated its active involvement and tangible contributions to the 54th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC), resulting in significant achievements. The session, which concluded on October 13 after five weeks, saw the adoption of 37 resolutions and the organization of five panel discussions on various important topics related to human rights.
Among the resolutions adopted were discussions on unilateral coercive measures and human rights, the integration of a gender perspective throughout the work of the HRC, the rights of indigenous peoples, youth and human rights, and cyberbullying against children. Additionally, the HRC held discussions on 87 thematic reports and engaged in dialogue with 37 Special Procedures of the HRC and UN human rights mechanisms. The session also featured discussions on the human rights situations in different countries.
Vietnam, led by Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, played a crucial role in drafting and presenting a joint speech on promoting the human right to vaccination. The Vietnamese delegation coordinated with Brazil and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) to chair an international seminar highlighting the importance of the human right to vaccination.
As a member of the HRC from 2023 to 2025, Vietnam actively participated in an international discussion co-sponsored with India on the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. This event builds upon Vietnam’s previous initiative proposed in February, which introduced an HRC resolution commemorating these two key declarations.
During the session, the Vietnamese delegation expressed its opinions on various issues such as the protection of economic, social, and cultural rights amidst post-COVID-19 recovery, the right to development, youth and human rights, and cyberbullying against children. The delegation showcased Vietnam’s commitment to promoting and protecting human rights for all and outlined measures taken by the country to support post-pandemic recovery, ensure social security, and alleviate the financial burdens caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for vulnerable groups.
Furthermore, Vietnam emphasized the urgency of promoting initiatives and actions at national, regional, and international levels to address global challenges like climate change, which pose threats to the enjoyment of human rights worldwide. Vietnam underscored the importance of resolving political divisions and differences while enhancing cooperation and trust-building, including through the activities of the HRC, to ensure the full realization of human rights for people worldwide.
In partnership with other ASEAN countries, Vietnam delivered joint speeches on issues of concern to the bloc, such as technical cooperation, capacity building, and the integration of gender equality into the work of the HRC and Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
Throughout the 54th session, Vietnam actively engaged with delegations from other countries, participated in the drafting of documents, and co-sponsored numerous initiatives. These collaborative efforts reflected Vietnam’s consistent viewpoint, policy, and achievements in the promotion and protection of human rights, while also contributing to the alignment of the HRC’s activities with the fundamental principles of international law.
Vietnam’s active participation in the UN Rights Council has yielded positive results, further strengthening its commitment to upholding human rights both domestically and internationally.
