Vietnam supports dialogue, co-operation to optimise HRC’s efficiency Vietnam supports dialogues and co-operation, upholds international laws, promotes consensus, and works to reduce confrontation and impositions of opinions in discussions at the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC). Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Cuong, head of the Vietnamese delegation, made the remark during his address at the high-level segment of the HRC’s 28th session in Geneva, Switzerland, on March 3. He continued to say that after almost 10 years in existence, the HRC has played a central role in promoting the respect for and the protection of human rights in all countries. It has helped raise awareness in the international community and helped build a more objective and comprehensive approach on human rights. The Council has provided timely responses to major concerns of the international community regarding human rights, including crises and serious violations of human rights around the world, he added. The official said Vietnam hopes the HRC , its subsidiary agencies, and the Secretariat will further improve their effectiveness while ensuring transparency and impartiality. “Vietnam would also expect the Council and its subsidiary bodies to better support developing countries, given their various challenges in socio-economic development, and in ensuring human rights in practice. Furthermore, we believe that the Council should pay more attention and allocate additional resources to issues related to the rights of vulnerable groups, particularly women, children, ethnic minority groups, the elderly and persons with disabilities,” he noted. As a member of the HRC, “Vietnam has actively and constructively played out its role with the highest responsibility and wishes to substantively contribute meaningfully to the work of the Council”, Cuong said. The Deputy Minister highlighted his country’s achievements in the protection and promotion of human rights as well as in efforts realising international commitments on human rights, including its Universal Periodic Review’s accepted recommendations and the voluntary pledges Vietnam made in support of its candidacy to the HRC. The country also ratified the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatments or Punishments (CAT) and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. On the sidelines of the high level conference, the official attended and delivered a speech at a high-level discussion on promoting the global standardisation of CAT. He also met with foreign affairs officials from Georgia, Japan, Serbia, the Republic of Cyprus, and the US to discuss measures to strengthen bilateral co-operation and co-ordination at the HRC and other multilateral forums. Cuong told Vietnam News Agency correspondents that Vietnam is attending the HRC’s 28th session to demonstrate its active role as an HRC member as well as contribute to the enhancement of dialogues, co-operation and mutual understanding, and minimise difference and confrontation. Its participation is also meant to promote relevant issues in Vietnam and other member states such as ethnic minority groups, persons with disabilities, women, and children. Additionally, the nation considers the forum an opportunity to present its achievements over the past and highlight its co-operation with the international community in ensuring human rights. The high-level conference of the HRC’s 28th session is taking place from March 2-5 with the attendance of senior officials from more than 90 countries and international organisations. The 28th session will continue its working agenda until March 27. VNA