Head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the UN and other international organisations Nguyen Trung Thanh moderated a panel discussion on climate change and the right to health at the 31st regular session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, on March 3.

​Ambassador Nguyen Trung Thanh at a session of UN Human Rights Council (Photo: VNA)

Speakers and experts from nearly 60 countries along with numerous social and political organisations addressed the relationship between climate change and the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.

They highlighted the negative impacts of climate change on human health, which are felt most by vulnerable groups, including women, the elderly, children and people with disabilities.

Enhancing international cooperation and implementing effectively relevant commitments, especially the agreement reached at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 21), are therefore vital.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Nguyen Trung Thanh said Vietnam is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change.

In this context, Vietnam pledged to maximise its efforts to reduce the impacts of climate change on public health, while devising plans and policies to ensure human rights in the field and joining other countries to fully implement Paris agreement’s commitments, he added.

Climate change impacts on human rights – Vietnam’s great concern

Vietnam will focus on dealing with climate change impacts on human rights and the rights of people with disabilities in 2016 – the last year of the country’s UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) membership, said Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on the fringes of the UNHRC’s 31 st session in Geneva, Switzerland, from February 29 to March 2, the official said Vietnam has joined a group of countries that play a core role in the issue of climate change impacts on human rights.

The country has also coordinated with Australia and a number of countries and partners to organise a sidelines discussion on working environment for the disabled, he said.

Reviewing the country’s UNHRC membership performance over the past two years, the diplomat affirmed that Vietnam has joined hands with the international community and other UNHRC members to address challenges to human rights globally.

Apart from protecting its national interests, Vietnam has intensified its relations with countries and groups of nations, and introduced its human rights achievements to international friends, Ngoc said.

According to the Deputy FM, Vietnam’s open and constructive attitudes towards the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) as well as its seriousness in realising recommendations have been highly appraised by the international community.

Regarding Vietnam’s plans thereafter its UNHRC membership, he said the country will continue to actualise its commitments to the council in a serious and responsible fashion, including the effectuation of UPR recommendations and preparations for the third UPR cycle in 2018.

Through the UN forum, Vietnam has learnt how to mobilise international support and prepare a contingent of competent officials to partake in other regional and international organisations and forums, Ngoc added.

He reported that efforts are being made for Vietnam’s bid to secure a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for 2020-2021.

“We would consider running for the UNHRC membership again at a suitable time,” the Deputy FM said.

Asked about spotlights of the UNHRC’s 31 st session, Ngoc said the event attracted the participation of 90 countries worldwide in various thematic discussions and sidelines meetings.

Delegates compared notes on a range of issues relating to human rights such as impacts of migrant crises, extremism, terrorism and regional conflicts.

Reviewing the operation of the UNHRC since its inception ten years ago, many suggested the council combine its activities with global commitments such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change, he said.

VNA