Vietnam elected to UN Human Rights Council

Vietnam’s position and prestige

Vietnam joins 13 other Council members, including Algeria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, Georgia, Germany, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Morocco, South Africa, and Sudan, four of them from the Asia-Pacific region. This is the second time Vietnam has won a seat on the Human Rights Council, the first being for the 2014-2016 tenure.

Among the candidates from five geographic regions, seven were from the Asia-Pacific. Vietnam was the only Southeast Asian candidate and also the only Asian candidate of the Francophone community.

The UNHRC plays an important role in protecting and promoting human rights. Vietnam’s UNHRC membership reflects the international community’s recognition of its policies, efforts and achievements in ensuring people’s rights in all fields.

The membership also marks new progress in Vietnam’s efforts to implement the external relations policy of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and Instruction 25 of the Secretariat of the CPV Central Committee on boosting multilateral external relations to 2030.

Speaking to the media after the voting results were announced, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Quang Hieu, head of the Vietnamese delegation to the voting session, affirmed that the results reflect the efforts of the entire political system and the role of the media in protecting and promoting human rights. Vietnam’s UNHRC membership also proves the country’s improved position in the international arena.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to the United Nations, emphasized the important role of the UNHRC and the high level of competition among the candidates, especially among those in the Asia-Pacific. With support of relevant ministries and sectors, Vietnamese diplomats, both at home and overseas, have overcome numerous difficulties and contributed significantly to the voting results through successful lobbying campaigns.

The Vietnamese delegation to the UNHRC voting session for the 2023-2025 tenure

Serious, responsible member

With the message “Respect and understanding - Dialogue and cooperation -All human rights for all people”, Vietnam will contribute directly to protecting and promoting human rights all over the world - one of the three pivotal tasks of the UN.

Vietnam will promote priorities identified through dialogue and cooperation, especially the protection of vulnerable groups and the guarantee of human rights in response to global issues. Such moves will contribute to addressing shared concerns and urgent issues facing humankind, while opening up opportunities for Vietnam to exchange experience and pool international support to help Vietnamese people better enjoy human rights and citizens’ rights, according to the ambassador.

The UNHRC consists of 47 members, 13 of them from the Asia-Pacific region, elected by the UN General Assembly through a ballot. Each tenure of a new member lasts three years and begins on January 1.