Vietnam Secures Re-election to UN Human Rights Council for 2026-2028 Term

Minister Bui Thanh Son spoke at the high-level meeting of the 55th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council, on February 26 in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: Nhat Phong

On February 26, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son attended and spoke at the high-level meeting of the 55th session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

During the meeting, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son acknowledged that despite more than 75 years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and 30 years since the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action, humanity still faces numerous challenges.

These challenges include strategic competition, armed conflicts, climate change, insecurity regarding food, energy, and water, as well as various other forms of social injustices.

The Minister emphasized that human rights can only be effectively ensured when peace, stability, and the rule of law are maintained and respected, with people at the center of all policies, ensuring inclusive and sustainable development.

Furthermore, the Human Rights Council needs to prioritize the enjoyment of economic, social, and cultural rights, the right to development, and the protection of vulnerable groups, according to Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In his speech, Minister Bui Thanh Son also highlighted Vietnam’s efforts in protecting human rights, including achieving over 5% economic growth in 2023 and reducing the poverty rate to 3%.

Vietnam is committed to spending an average of around 3% of its GDP on social security while contributing to global food security by exporting over 8 million tons of rice in 2023.

Moreover, Vietnam prioritizes protecting vulnerable groups, promoting gender equality, digital transformation, and human rights in its participation in the Human Rights Council.

Based on its contributions and strong commitments, Minister Bui Thanh Son called on countries to support Vietnam’s re-election as a member of the Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term.

The Vietnamese delegation led by Minister Bui Thanh Son attended the High-Level Meeting of the 55th regular session of UNHRC. Photo: Nhat Phong

At the meeting, delegates from all countries acknowledged the increasing challenges to ensuring human rights due to armed conflicts, instability in various regions, particularly in Gaza, and complex global challenges such as climate change, environmental degradation, and food security.

The rapid development of technology, especially artificial intelligence, also poses new challenges to fully and comprehensively ensuring human rights, according to UN leaders.

UN leaders further warned that armed conflicts and instability significantly affect the realization of human rights, with vulnerable groups being disproportionately affected.

UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis urged the Human Rights Council to find comprehensive solutions to address the concerns of developing countries and small islands, including climate change, gender equality, and the rights of vulnerable groups.