Geneva (VNA)🎶 – Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang will lead a Vietnamese delegationto the High-Level Meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)’s52nd regular session in Geneva, Switzerland, from February 27 to March 2.

This will be the second time Vietnam has undertaken the role of a UNHRC member afterbeing elected and successfully serving its first tenure from 2014-2016. On the occasion, AmbassadorLe Thi Tuyet Mai, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, WTO and other international organisations inGeneva, granted an interview to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) about Vietnam’spreparations, priorities and suggestions for the meeting. Maisaid right after Vietnamwas elected as a member of the UNHRC for the 2023-2025 tenure at the UN General Assembly on October 11, 2022, the Permanent Mission ofVietnam promptly began preparations by gathering information, studying thetasks set for the UNHRC in the near future, and consulting with representativesof other countries in Geneva regarding priorities, proposals, and initiativesaimed at promoting and protecting human rights in various fields, thus servingthe building of Vietnam’s plan for UNHRC membership for the 2023-2025 tenure. TheMission also suggested enhancing active participation and close coordination withdomestic agencies and organisations as well as missions of other ASEAN countries and other partners in Geneva. Inorder to uphold Vietnam's initiative regarding human rights and climate change,the Mission also actively evaluated the situation and experience to maintainVietnam's role in the UNHRC on this issue, firstly for the 2023-2025 tenure,she said. AboutVietnam’s major priorities at the UNHRC’s 52nd regular session from February27 to April 4, Mai said Vietnam will continue with active consultations and discussions,deliver speeches, and attend activities throughout the session. Major priority topics include protectingvulnerable groups, gender equality, human rights in addressing climate change,particularly the impact on the enjoyment of human rights of vulnerable groups;human rights in the digital age, the right to health care, especially in thecontext of response to the COVID-19 pandemic and infectious diseases, the right to decentwork, and access to quality education, including education on human rights. Shesaid Vietnam along with 46 other member states will decide on issues under theauthority of the UNHRC and co-sponsor several initiatives scheduled for the UN’sapproval at the end of the session in early April.

According to the diplomat,Deputy PM Tran Luu Quang’s attendance at the High-Level Meeting of the UNHRC’s 52nd regular session will officially mark Vietnam'sparticipation as a UNHRC member for the 2023-2025 tenure. It is also the firstmultilateral activity within the UN framework with the attendance of a high-rankingleader, contributing to improving Vietnam’s reputation and position as adynamic and innovative country that respects and protects human rights,strengthening all-around cooperation between Vietnam and UN organs,international organisations and countries, as well as pooling internationalsupport for the country's socio-economic development.

ಌ On the sidelines of the meeting,Deputy PM Quang will meet leaders of international organisations and participating countriesin order to further reinforce bilateral ties, Mai said./.