The Vietnamese delegation at the Human Rights Council session adopting a resolution on climate change and human rights on July 10. (Photo: Vietnamese delegation to the UN)

On the occasion of the conclusion of the 56th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam in Geneva, shared about Vietnam's contributions at the session, including its role as 'editor' of the Resolution on climate change and human rights.

Could you please tell us the main content, meaning and importance of the United Nations Human Rights Council's adoption of the Resolution on climate change and human rights this time with the theme "ensuring human rights in a just transition"?

The 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council, which took place from June 19 to July 12, adopted by consensus a resolution on climate change and human rights, focusing on the theme of ensuring human rights in a just transition in the context of climate change. The resolution was introduced by the Core Group consisting of Vietnam, Bangladesh and the Philippines and has so far been co-sponsored by 70 countries.

The resolution reaffirms that climate change has negative impacts on the enjoyment of human rights such as the right to life, health, water and sanitation, and the right to development. In particular, vulnerable people such as the poor, women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities are often the most affected by climate change. The resolution therefore calls for climate change response measures to pay special attention to these groups.

In addition, the Resolution promotes a people-centered, comprehensive and inclusive approach to climate change adaptation and mitigation policies; calls on countries to develop and implement policies that ensure the transition to a green and sustainable economy is fair, equitable, inclusive and sustainable, and leaves no one behind. This includes creating new jobs, ensuring social protection and supporting communities most affected by climate change.

The resolution also emphasizes the importance of strengthening international cooperation and support, especially in financial support, technology transfer and capacity building, to support developing countries in their adaptation and mitigation initiatives. At the same time, the resolution promotes international efforts to reduce global emissions and calls on countries to set new, highly ambitious climate finance targets at the upcoming COP 29.

The adoption of this resolution by the UN Human Rights Council is a strong call to action from the international community; raising awareness of the links between climate change and human rights, especially in the process of just economic transition; encouraging international cooperation and support in responding to climate change. The resolution guides countries’ policies and actions, ensuring that the transition to a green and sustainable economy is carried out in an equitable and inclusive manner, so that everyone, especially the most vulnerable, benefits from this process.

By introducing and promoting this resolution every year since 2008, the Core Group of Vietnam, Bangladesh and the Philippines has demonstrated its role and responsibility in addressing this global challenge, while affirming its strong commitment to promoting and protecting human rights in the context of climate change.

Could you please share Vietnam's efforts in developing and adopting this Resolution as well as in the activities of the Core Group?

This year's resolution was chaired and coordinated by Vietnam with the Core Group to develop, organize negotiations and promote its adoption at the UN Human Rights Council. We have drafted the resolution, sought comments from countries in the Core Group and completed the draft.

Throughout the session, Vietnam chaired and organized four informal consultations on the draft resolution, with the participation of many representatives of countries, international and non-governmental organizations. At the same time, we organized many bilateral exchanges with partners interested in this issue, at both the Ambassadorial and expert levels.

Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations in Geneva, speaks at the UN Human Rights Council session. (Photo: Delegation)

During the consultation process, the Core Group received many comments on the draft resolution, demonstrating the high level of interest of the international community in the issues of climate change and human rights in general, and this topic of just transition in particular. We have made every effort to fully and realistically reflect the concerns of our partners, ensuring that the draft resolution reflects in a balanced manner the views of relevant countries and organizations on this common issue.

The efforts of Vietnam and the Core Group have been recognized and highly appreciated by countries and international organizations. The Resolution was adopted by consensus by the UN Human Rights Council, with 70 co-sponsors, clearly reflecting the results of Vietnam's efforts in its role as editor of this year's resolution.

Also within the framework of the 56th Session of the Human Rights Council, Vietnam, on behalf of the Core Group, delivered a general speech at the discussion session on the topic of ensuring sustainable livelihoods in the face of climate change impacts, outlining the concerns and proposals of Core Group member countries on this issue.

The 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council has concluded. Could you summarize the highlights of this session as well as Vietnam's contributions?

The 56th regular session of the Human Rights Council considered and adopted 25 resolutions and decisions, including a resolution on climate change and human rights proposed and promoted by Vietnam, Bangladesh and the Philippines.

This session of the Human Rights Council attracted a large number of representatives from countries, international organizations and non-governmental organizations. The session included five thematic discussions, discussions and dialogues with nearly 40 Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council and UN human rights mechanisms, and many consultations on draft resolutions.

The Human Rights Council also adopted the UPR Reports of 14 countries and appointed staff for 3 Special Procedures. The contents discussed, considered and approved at the Session were diverse, including new contents introduced for the first time such as the issue of plastic waste, teenage pregnancy, and the human rights of seafarers.

Although there are still some differences in views and approaches among countries at the Human Rights Council, it remains the most important human rights mechanism in the UN system, a forum for dialogue, cooperation and promotion of human rights in countries around the world.

At this session, the Vietnamese delegation actively participated in discussions and spoke on many issues such as the right to health, the right to education, extreme poverty, and anti-discrimination against women and girls, thereby demonstrating Vietnam's consistent viewpoints, policies, and achievements in promoting and protecting human rights.

As a member of the Human Rights Council, we actively participate in the negotiation, consideration and adoption of resolutions and decisions of the Human Rights Council. In particular, we chaired and coordinated the Core Group to develop, introduce and promote the adoption by consensus of the Human Rights Council resolution on climate change and human rights with the theme of a just transition, with the co-sponsorship of 70 countries.

Vietnam’s participation at the Session reflects our efforts and achievements in promoting and protecting human rights in general, and in responding to climate change in particular. At the same time, this contributes to implementing a proactive, positive and responsible foreign policy towards common issues of the international community, in our role as a member of the Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term.