(Photo: VNA)

Held from June 19 to July 12, the 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council passed 25 resolutions and decisions, including a Resolution on climate change and human rights proposed by Vietnam, Bangladesh, and the Philippines.

Vietnam's efforts evident in specific outcomes

The resolution on climate change and human rights reaffirms the negative impacts of climate change on human rights, such as the rights to life, health, clean water, sanitation, and development. Vulnerable groups, including the poor, women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, are the most severely affected by climate change. Therefore, the resolution calls for climate change measures to prioritize these groups.

The resolution advocates for a people-centered, comprehensive, inclusive approach to climate change adaptation and mitigation. It urges countries to develop and implement policies that ensure a fair, equitable, inclusive, and sustainable transition to a green economy, leaving no one behind. This includes creating new jobs, ensuring social protection, and supporting the communities most affected by climate change.

It also highlights the importance of strengthening international cooperation and support, particularly financial support, technology transfer, and capacity building, to help developing countries adapt to and mitigate climate change. Additionally, the resolution promotes international efforts to reduce global emissions and calls for ambitious climate finance targets at the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

According to Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, the WTO, and other international organizations in Geneva, Vietnam chaired and organized four informal consultation sessions on the draft resolution with broad participation from countries, international organizations, and NGOs. Vietnam also conducted numerous bilateral exchanges with interested partners at both the ambassador and expert level. The resolution's unanimous approval by the United Nations Human Rights Council, with 70 co-sponsors, reflects Vietnam's efforts as the drafter of this year's resolution.

Vietnam’s role as a Human Rights Council member

The 56th regular session of the Human Rights Council included five thematic discussion sessions, dialogues on 40 special procedures of the Human Rights Council, and many consultations on draft resolutions. The Vietnamese delegation addressed various issues, such as health rights, education rights, extreme poverty, and discrimination against women and girls, showcasing Vietnam's consistent views, policies, and achievements in promoting and protecting human rights.

As a Human Rights Council member, Vietnam actively negotiated, reviewed, and passed resolutions and decisions. It also chaired and coordinated the Core Group in building, introducing, and promoting the Human Rights Council's resolution on climate change and human rights, with a focus on a just transition. Vietnam's contributions reaffirm its role as a United Nations Human Rights Council member for the 2023-2025 term.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said: "Vietnam will continue to work closely with member countries, make considerable contributions to the Human Rights Council's work, promote international dialogue and cooperation in the spirit of mutual respect and understanding, and advance human rights while addressing the conditions, needs, and legitimate interests of all countries, especially developing ones. Vietnam will collaborate with member countries to advance initiatives and solutions in areas such as the right to live in peace, the right to development, health, education, and employment, the rights of vulnerable groups, gender equality, and addressing climate change and epidemics."

Through responsible, proactive efforts and contributions in each session, Vietnam is successfully fulfilling its duties at the Human Rights Council and joining the international community in building a peaceful world where all individuals and nations can enjoy the benefits of development and social progress.