Dialogue, cooperation – a need to ensure human rights

Dialogue and cooperation are the most effective ways to address human rights issues, said Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc at the 31st regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Speaking in front of nearly 100 delegates from countries and international organisations, Ngoc stressed the need for the UNHRC to play a more positive role in implementing two recently approved human rights agreements – the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

In the last year of its tenure in the council, Vietnam will focus on these deals, as well as measures to ensure the rights of people with disabilities.

He highlighted Vietnam’s efforts and achievements in preventing and promoting human rights, especially in the implementation of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

In spite of numerous challenges, Vietnam will do its utmost to help its people better enjoy their rights and the achievements of the national renewal cause.

The country will continue to be a responsible member contributing positively to UN offices on human rights, including the UNHRC and the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), he added.

Earlier, in a high-level panel discussion on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the right to development on February 29, Ngoc said the approval of SDGs is an unprecedented achievement of the international community.

With its achievements in carrying out MDGs, Vietnam will continue efforts to bring the SDGs into its development policies and wishes to receive cooperation from other nations, he added.

Meanwhile, during the high-level segment to mark 50 years implementing covenants on civil, political, economic and socio-cultural rights, Ngoc confirmed that all human rights are integral to and dependent on each other.

Cooperation is the solution to dealing with issues of mutual concern, not confrontation, he added.