Closing of the 60th Session of the Human Rights Council: Ending Vietnam's special journey with many milestones

Vietnam's active and responsible presence at the 60th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council has special significance as this is the last session of Vietnam's 2023-2025 term as a member of the Human Rights Council.

Ambassador Mai Phan Dung gave many important speeches during the 60th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

On October 8, at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council closed, concluding three regular sessions and many activities of the Human Rights Council in 2025, as well as nine sessions during the entire 2023-2025 term, marking Vietnam's active participation and practical contributions with many imprints.

Outstanding results after nearly 5 consecutive weeks of meetings of the 60th Session of the Human Rights Council include: (i) 1 Declaration and 1 Decision of the President of the Human Rights Council and 36 Resolutions adopted; (ii) 5 thematic discussions on unilateral coercive measures and human rights, anti-discrimination, violence and harmful practices against intersex people, youth and human rights, rights of indigenous people, mainstreaming gender equality in the work of the Human Rights Council; (iii) Organizing an emergency discussion on Israel's attack on Qatar; (iv) Discussing 95 thematic reports; (v) Discussions and dialogues with 41 Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council and human rights mechanisms of the United Nations; (vi) Discussions and dialogues on the human rights situation in a number of countries; (vii) Completing the procedure for adopting the results of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) cycle IV of 14 countries; (viii) Elect 7 members of the Advisory Committee of the Human Rights Council for the term 2025-2028; and (ix) Decide on the appointment of 1 staff member for the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council.

The session had many notable developments, among which the most notable was the emergency discussion on September 16 on Israel's attack on Qatar. The discussion attracted the attention of many countries and international organizations, with the participation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk. The High Commissioner condemned Israel's attack in Doha on September 9, saying that this was a serious violation of international law, an infringement on Qatar's sovereignty and a sabotage of international reconciliation efforts. At the same time, the High Commissioner called on the Human Rights Council and countries to speak out against it, demand accountability and promote a ceasefire, protect civilians and the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people.

In his speech, Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other international organizations in Geneva, condemned the use of force, violations of international law, the United Nations Charter, and violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries. Ambassador Mai Phan Dung called on relevant parties to refrain from escalating tensions, resolve disagreements by peaceful means, and create a favorable environment for negotiating a complete ceasefire agreement.

High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk (center) and President of the Human Rights Council Jürg Lauber (right) at an emergency discussion on Israel's attack on Qatar, September 16.

At the Session, Vietnam chaired the development and presentation of the Joint Statement on promoting the human right to vaccination, which was widely supported by countries, with 51 countries from all continents sponsoring it to date.

The joint statement stressed that immunization is an essential part of the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, a pillar of primary health care and universal health coverage (as per Sustainable Development Goal 3.8); vaccines continue to be one of the most successful and cost-effective health investments.

The joint statement also warned of the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases (measles, whooping cough, diphtheria, polio) in the context of 25 million children each year not being fully vaccinated; and called for enhanced international cooperation, vaccine multilateralism, sustainable finance, knowledge sharing on technology and equitable access so that no one is left behind.

During the course of attending the Session, the Vietnamese delegation actively spoke at many meetings and discussions on many topics such as youth and human rights; the impact of climate change on human rights; clean water and sanitation; rights of the elderly, etc.

In their speeches, the Vietnamese delegation clearly stated its policy on promoting and protecting human rights of all people; shared the measures that Vietnam has taken to promote and protect the rights of vulnerable groups; and affirmed the need to resolve political divisions and differences and promote cooperation and build trust through the spirit of dialogue and cooperation.

Together with ASEAN countries, the Vietnamese delegation also made a number of joint statements on ASEAN topics of common interest and sharing such as technical cooperation and capacity building, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), and the human rights situation in Cambodia.

Deputy Head of Delegation Cung Duc Han (4th from left) and members of the Vietnamese interdisciplinary delegation during the voting session for Resolutions of the 60th Session of the Human Rights Council.

The Vietnamese delegation has proactively and actively participated in all activities of the Council, from bilateral and multilateral exchanges and consultations with delegations of other countries, to contributing to the content of documents, co-sponsoring many initiatives and joint statements in the spirit of dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect. These activities clearly demonstrate Vietnam's consistent viewpoints and policies in promoting and protecting human rights, while making practical contributions to maintaining the Council's activities in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.

Vietnam's active and responsible presence at this Session also has special significance, as this is the last session in Vietnam's 2023-2025 term as a member of the Human Rights Council, affirming Vietnam's proactive, constructive and responsible role in global human rights issues.

Successful completion of this term is an important foundation for Vietnam to continue to promote its prestige, creating favorable momentum for the re-election campaign for the Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term, thereby continuing to actively and proactively contribute to the common work of the Human Rights Council in the spirit of "Respect and understanding - Dialogue and cooperation - All human rights, for all people".

(according to the Vietnamese Delegation in Geneva)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/be-mac-khoa-hop-60-hoi-dong-nhan-quyen-ket-tec-hanh-trinh-dac-biet-cua-viet-nam-voi-nhieu-dau-an-330568.html