Vietnam Calls for Stronger Effectiveness of UN Human Rights Council

Vietnam, as a member of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2026–2028 term, intends to act in accordance with key orientations including actively and proactively contributing to the UNHRC’s activities, enhancing the council’s efficiency, and fully participating in all regular and special sessions of the council. With over 85 million internet users, more than 127 million active mobile subscriptions, and approximately 79 million social media accounts, Vietnam's digital space is not only a major driver of the digital economy but also a strategic domain for national defense, security safeguarding, and the protection of human and civil rights. This emphasis on the digital space is also reflected in nationwide photo and video contests. Eligible participants include Vietnamese citizens and foreigners aged 15 and above, suggesting Vietnam's multifaceted approach to leveraging digital technology for rights protection and national security. Vietnam consistently attaches importance to its traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia, considering the relationship one of its top priorities in implementing its foreign policy. Top leader To Lam proposed that the legislative bodies of Vietnam and Russia continue to play their role in improving a favourable legal framework for bilateral cooperation and strengthen oversight of and urge the implementation of agreements reached by the senior leaders and Governments of the two countries, thereby helping translate political commitments into concrete programmes, projects, and cooperation outcomes. In order for bilateral defence ties to truly match its role as a strategic pillar of the Vietnam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the new period, the two sides agreed to focus on promoting several key areas, including delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels, particularly high-level ones; maintaining effective defence strategic consultation and dialogue mechanisms; training; and United Nations peacekeeping operations. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustino agreed to study the establishment of new cooperation mechanisms and specialised working groups in various fields, and pledged to encourage businesses from both countries to expand their operations in each other’s markets. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam reaffirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to its traditional friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Russia, considering Russia one of Vietnam’s leading important partners in its foreign policy. Vietnam consistently regards education and training as a top national priority and a key driver of the country’s breakthrough development. The country is prioritising the development of high-quality human resources in science and technology, innovation and digital transformation. Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, accompanied by a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, will attend the 18th BRICS Summit and hold bilateral engagements in India from September 12 to 13. To build an advanced Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity, Vietnam wishes to continue deepening cooperation with Russia in culture, arts and cinema, said General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam. The CPV delegation’s participation in the ICDPP demonstrates its active engagement in multilateral mechanisms involving political parties, contributing to expanding ties with political parties, organisations and networks in Asia and around the world. Vietnam has the potential to play a deeper role in BRICS if the grouping continues to expand and strengthen its role in global economic governance. It should engage substantively in BRICS cooperation mechanisms while maintaining a balance among BRICS, ASEAN and other partners to consolidate its strategic position. The Ho Chi Minh Monument, situated at Ho Chi Minh Square, is a historic and cultural landmark symbolising the enduring friendship between Vietnam and Russia. It was inaugurated in 1990 to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of the late leader. Welcoming the two sides’ identification of orientations for maritime cooperation in 2026–2030, General Secretary and President To Lam called on relevant agencies of both countries to urgently translate them into highly feasible programmes and projects, avoiding a situation in which agreements remain merely at the level of orientations and policies. Former Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang expressed confidence that General Secretary and President To Lam’s visit will reaffirm the political determination underpinning Vietnam–France relations while creating fresh momentum to translate the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into substantive and mutually beneficial cooperation across a wide range of fields. President of the Vietnamese National Assembly Tran Thanh Man said the Vietnamese delegation was the first foreign one to make an official visit at the invitation of NA Speaker of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Cho Jeong Sik, with representation from the Party, NA, Government and localities. Helene Luc expressed her hope that the visit by General Secretary and President To Lam will lead to concrete actions, enabling bilateral ties to quickly enter a new stage of development across areas. This is the second visit by a top Vietnamese legislator to Mongolia since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1954, and the first official visit by NA President Man to Mongolia in his capacity. The visit demonstrates Vietnam’s high regard for bilateral relations and the important role of parliamentary diplomacy in the countries’ overall relations. Information source: VietnamPlus English