The UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (SDG), which upholds development rights, eliminates inequality, cares for vulnerable groups ... is also being actively implemented by Vietnam.

The specific commitments and actions of Vietnam in recent years have shown not only its efforts in ensuring the rights of all people, but also the image of a proactive, positive Vietnam in practically contributing to the implementation of the basic pillars of UN cooperation in maintaining peace, international security, development cooperation and human rights promotion.

Vietnam's active contribution to global efforts in human right promotion is also proven through the country’s active and practical participation in international human rights forums and its membership in 7 out of 9 basic conventions on human rights.

Over the past 30 years, along with the renovation of the country, the work of ensuring and promoting human rights has achieved great achievements. As a responsible member of the international community, Vietnam has been actively and proactively contributing, not only by commitment but also by concrete actions, in promoting and protecting human rights at national, regional and international levels.

Taking care of people, protecting the legitimate rights and interests of all people, respecting and implementing international human rights treaties that Vietnam has signed or acceded to are the consistent guidelines that have been seriously implemented by the Communist Party and the State of Vietnam.

This policy was also gradually institutionalized, from the first Constitution in 1946 to the 2013 Constitution, which has 36 of the total 120 articles stipulating human rights and citizens' rights.

Along with the relevant legal documents, the principles of respect and assurance of human rights have been institutionalized by the Vietnamese State in accordance with international principles and standards. This is also a vivid expression of the constitutional activity to ensure human rights in Vietnam.

Vietnam's commitment to take action in ensuring human rights is clearly reflected in the implementation of international programs in which the people are the centre, including the development goals of the United Nations, which integrates important issues of human rights.

Despite the difficult economic conditions, Vietnam is one of the few countries that has accomplished ahead of time many of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, especially in terms of hunger eradication and poverty reduction, which have been highly praised by the international community.

At the sideline meeting of the 6th Global Environment Fund General Assembly in the central city of Da Nang, Vietnam, the General Director of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Mr. Achim Steiner praised Vietnam as a successful example of economic-social development and completing a lot of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ahead of time.

Vietnam's success in implementing the MDGs, on the one hand, facilitates economic promotion, thereby ensuring that all people enjoy full human rights, and also contributes significantly to the UN's joint efforts in the goal of promoting human rights.

Take the lead in implementation of the 2030 Agenda

Vietnam actively contributes to promoting human rights

The UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (SDG), which upholds development rights, eliminates inequality, cares for vulnerable groups ... is also being actively implemented by Vietnam.

According to the UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Kamal Malhotra, Vietnam is one of the leading countries in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

In addition to the promulgation of a National Action Plan with 17 Vietnam’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 115 specific targets in line with national conditions and priorities, Vietnam and the UN signed the One Strategic Plan (OSP) for the period of 2017 - 2021 to implement the SDGs. This is considered an important milestone demonstrating the strong commitment of the Vietnamese Government to work closely with 18 UN agencies to implement the goals towards ensuring and promoting human rights.

Vietnam's active contribution to global efforts in human rights practice is also reflected in its active and substantive participation in international human rights forums, its participation in 7 out of 9 basic conventions on human rights, including the Convention against Torture and the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities as the latest.

At the defense session of Vietnam's first national report on the implementation of the Convention against Torture in Geneva, Switzerland, the UN Committee against Torture also appreciated Vietnam's efforts in the implementation of this Convention.

Vietnam has always taken seriously the responsibilities and obligations of a member state of the UN Human Rights Council in the field of human rights protection, through the implementation of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism.

After the successful protection of UPR cycles I and II in 2009 and 2014, including the completion of 175 out of 182 recommendations that Vietnam approved in cycle II (accounting for 96.2%), Vietnam completed a national report on guaranteeing and promoting human rights under UPR Cycle three earlier this year.

In the spirit of attaching importance to cooperation and dialogue on human rights on a bilateral, regional as well as international basis, Vietnam has joined annual dialogues and consultations with many partners such as the United States, Switzerland, Australia, Norway and the European Union (EU). This also spreads the message of Vietnam's initiative and goodwill in human rights issues.

Minh Van