Vietnam's re-election to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term with a very high number of votes is a historic milestone, demonstrating the strong belief of the United Nations and the international community in Vietnam's position, prestige, and practical contributions to promoting and protecting human rights.
This "bright mark" not only has great symbolic value, but also affirms the correct, proactive, positive and highly responsible foreign policy that Vietnam has been pursuing in the process of global integration.
This is not a coincidence, but the result of a process of persistent, responsible, and continuous effort and dedication.
Vietnam has always actively and responsibly participated in the activities of the United Nations Human Rights Council since its establishment in 2006.
Vietnam has made many contributions, serving as a bridge for cooperation and dialogue between countries and groups of countries to promote a balanced, progressive, and human-oriented approach on different issues, such as reproductive health rights, combating violence against women, eliminating discrimination and violence, etc.
In addition, Vietnam has promoted dialogue within the framework of the Human Rights Council between countries, regional organizations and UN human rights mechanisms to address specific concerns on issues related to human rights and humanitarian issues; coordinated with developing countries with the same viewpoint to fight to ensure the Human Rights Council operates in accordance with principles and procedures, without politicization and without interfering in the internal affairs of countries.
The trust in Vietnam comes first of all from the international community's recognition of Vietnam's growing role, position, prestige and potential on the global stage, its commitment to multilateralism and our country's achievements and efforts in human development, social justice, and the guarantee and promotion of human rights.
Currently, at the Human Rights Council in particular and multilateral forums in general, Vietnam is the image of a nation entering a new era with a stable political system, rapidly developing economy , deep integration, many advances in social security, cultural development, health care, education, care for people's lives, protection of vulnerable groups, leaving no one behind.
The people are always placed at the center, the beneficiaries of human rights achievements in Vietnam with the multidimensional poverty rate reduced to below 2%, health insurance coverage reaching nearly 93% of the population, universal education system, gender equality in education is ensured; the rate of women participating in politics at all levels is increasing; the business environment is constantly improving, protecting labor rights and business interests.
During the 2023-2025 term (the second time assuming this role after the first term 2014-2016), Vietnam's motto to the UN Human Rights Council is “Respect and understanding. Dialogue and cooperation” to promote “All rights, for all people.”
Respect and understanding between countries aim to reduce the tendency of politicization and increase the international community's attention to the real needs of countries in the field of human rights.
Dialogue and cooperation aim at concrete, practical actions that bring long-term effectiveness in ensuring and promoting human rights, rather than “criticism and intervention.”
And most importantly, “all human rights - for all people” not only demonstrates the universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated nature of human rights, but also demonstrates Vietnam’s readiness to participate and contribute to all aspects of the Human Rights Council’s work.
During the integration process, Vietnam promoted all eight priority areas at the Human Rights Council, including enhancing operational efficiency; protecting human rights in the context of climate change; combating violence and discrimination, protecting vulnerable groups; promoting gender equality; protecting human rights in the digital age; promoting the right to health; the right to work; the right to education and human rights education.
Vietnam has always proactively implemented many substantive initiatives, contributing to the common efforts to promote and protect human rights globally in three main forms: First, presiding over the introduction of draft resolutions for the council to adopt; Second, presiding over the development of inter-regional statements and joint statements to contribute to discussions; Third, organizing international seminars on many aspects of human rights to supplement the official discussions of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Notable resolutions chaired by Vietnam include Resolution 52/19 on the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (VDPA), adopted by consensus in April 2023 with the co-sponsorship of 121 countries, a record number at the Human Rights Council in recent years.
Following the resolutions on climate change and human rights that the core group of Vietnam, Bangladesh and the Philippines has been promoting for many years, in 2024, Vietnam will play a key role in Resolution 56/8, which focuses on ensuring human rights in a just transition to respond to climate change, ensuring that no one is left behind in responding to climate change.
Vietnam also actively contributes with other countries in core groups promoting other resolutions; most recently in the Core Group promoting the adoption of Resolution 59/23 (July 2025) on child protection in the digital space, a topic of urgency in the digital age.
The resolution also highlights the role of the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention), an important international legal document that will be opened for signature in Hanoi in October.
As an active and responsible member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Vietnam has proactively initiated and chaired the development of inter-regional joint statements on vaccination and human rights, the role of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals in ensuring gender equality, protecting essential civil infrastructure for the enjoyment of human rights, climate change, etc.
These joint statements have received extensive co-sponsorship from countries and international organizations; and through meetings and years, partners have requested to continue updating and re-circulating them. This demonstrates the similarity between Vietnam's concerns and the common concerns and interests of the international community, as well as the trust that partners have in Vietnam.
This trust is also reflected in the fact that Vietnam was assigned by the Like-Minded Group (LMG), the Francophone Group (OIF), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Non-Aligned Movement... to preside over the development of common statements of the groups on topics such as the right to development, gender equality, rights of people with disabilities, children's rights, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, environmental protection...
Re-election to the United Nations Human Rights Council for a second consecutive term is not only a diplomatic victory, but also a result of international trust in Vietnam.
From participating in UN peacekeeping operations, providing humanitarian assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, to green recovery initiatives, Vietnam has consistently proven itself to be an active link in the global chain of efforts.
Vietnam shows its friends and the international community that we do not just talk about human rights, but also act for human rights, through inclusive development, peace and international cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect, compliance with the United Nations Charter and international law.
Honor and pride go hand in hand with responsibility. In the coming term, Vietnam will shoulder greater responsibility to continue affirming its role, position and prestige in promoting universal human values, while protecting the principles of equality and fairness among nations.
The new mandate also sets a noble mission: Vietnam is expected to make stronger contributions to the global human rights process - not only through commitments, but also through concrete actions, responsibilities and effective initiatives.
Vietnam's re-election to a United Nations agency is living proof of the country's growing position and prestige in the international arena.
This achievement is the crystallization of the will, intelligence and humanistic spirit of a heroic nation that always strives to rise up and always aspires for peace and development./.
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/viet-nam-tai-dac-cu-vao-hoi-dong-nhan-quyen-vi-the-viet-nam-uy-tin-viet-nam-post1070404.vnp
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