Jakarta (VNA) – Ministerof Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son led a Vietnamese delegation to attend a meeting ofthe Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-FreeZone (SEANWFZ) Treaty Commission and a dialogue with the ASEANIntergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) in Jakarta, Indonesia, on July 11.

They were thefirst activities as part of the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings in the capital city of Indonesia.

Sharing theimportance of the SEANWFZ, Son underlined the need to improve the valueand position of the treaty amid the current complex and potentially riskyenvironment. He reaffirmed Vietnam's commitment and determination toeffectively carry out the SEANWFZ Plan of Action and work withASEAN to encourage nuclear-weapon states to join the Protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty.

The SEANWFZCommission heard the ASEAN Secretary-General's report on the implementation ofthe SEANWFZ Plan of Action for the 2023-2027 period, welcomed the results inpromoting nuclear security and safety, as well as ASEAN's cooperation withpartners, and reiterated the consensus to continue seeking solutions fornuclear-weapon states to join the treaty.

Amid uncertainties and challenges, including the risk of nuclearconflicts, ministers reaffirmed the political will of the member countriesto uphold the SEANWFZ's objectives, consult and dialogue towards a nuclear-freeSoutheast Asia.

They endorsedthe Concept Paper on joint cooperation initiatives between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Agencyfor the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean(OPANAL), contributing to enhancing the value of the SEANWFZ Treaty and thecollective efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons anddisarmament.

At thedialogue with the AICHR, Son highly valued the commission’s efforts and the results inimplementing the Work Plan for 2021-2025. He suggested AICHR maintain aprogressive and relevant approach in line with the interests of member statesand engage in cooperative activities with partners based on the constructiveand goodwill spirit in accordance with the principles, procedures and processes ofASEAN.

With 15activities last year, the AICHR stepped up cooperation in human rights andachieved specific results in various areas such as the rights of persons withdisabilities, children's rights, climate change and environment rights.

Throughconsultations and policy support for agencies and field visits, the AICHR hadopportunities to share views and listen to concerns of different groups,contributing to bringing the ASEAN community closer to the people and bettermeeting their needs.

The ministersstressed that the promotion and protection of human rights is a consistentcontent and goal throughout the ASEAN integration process.

Inthe face of positive and negative impacts of emerging issues that deeplyaffect human rights, they called on the AICHR, with its role and assigned tasks, toimprove the effectiveness of its activities, strengthen cross-sectoralconsultations and dialogues, and build thorough solutions that best ensure theinterests of the people and align with the common concerns of the region./.