Cooperation is needed to ensure effective response to COVID-19: Diplomat
Minister Counselor Nguyen Phuong Anh, deputy head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN), World Trade Organisation (WTO) and other international organisations in Geneva, underlined the need for countries to strengthen solidarity and close cooperation to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially ensuring timely and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatment for all.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Phuong Anh, deputy head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN), World Trade Organisation (WTO) and other international organisations in Geneva. (Photo: baoquocte.vn)
Geneva (VNA) – Minister Counselor Nguyen Phuong Anh, deputy head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN), World Trade Organisation (WTO) and other international organisations in Geneva, underlined the need for countries to strengthen solidarity and close cooperation to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially ensuring timely and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatment for all.
She made the statement on September 14 at a dialogue on human rights all over the world, which was held virtually as part of the UN Human Rights Council’s ongoing 48th session.
♊ Anh thanked the international community for timely support to Vietnam in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, especially when the country is facing a very serious fourth wave of infection due to the emergence of new variants.
The Vietnamese diplomat affirmed that Vietnam is determined to put people at the centre of policies, strengthen health response capacity to the COVID-19 pandemic, implement social and financial support programmes to ensure the basic human rights of the people.
Protecting and realising human rights for all in the post-COVID-19 context required a shift in approach and priorities, therefore, Vietnam calls on the UN Human Rights Council to join the post-COVID1-9 recovery mission to achieve the sustainable development goals, she said.
Addressing the opening of the 48th session, which saw the attendance of head of the Vietnamese permanent mission Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet emphasised that climate change has become “the greatest challenge to human rights in our era.”
It has seriously affected a broad range of rights, including the right to adequate food, water, education, housing, health, development, and even lives, she said.
Bachelet also reviewed the impacts of climate change on many countries and regions, including those in the Sahel region, Central Asia, Southeast Asia and Central America. She called for countries to take strong action to respond to climate change.
Regarding the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, Bachelet highlighted the importance of adopting human rights-based approaches and choosing policies that can address inequality and encourage innovative solutions related to the environment to build greener economies in the post-COVID-19 period.
🃏 The 48th session of the UN Human Rights Council opened on September 13 and lasts until October 8.
As many as six thematic discussions and 37 dialogues are expected to be organised during the session. The Council is scheduled to consider and approve the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report of 15 countries and the appointment of special procedure mandate holders as well as 25 draft resolutions./.
Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, the World Trade Organisation, and other international organisations in Geneva, attended the opening ceremony of the UN Human Rights Council’s 47th session, which is taking place from June 21 to July 15.
Vietnam treasures the comprehensive cooperative partnership with the European Union (EU) and stays ready to discuss and cooperate with the EU on human rights issue in a straightforward, open and respectful manner to increase mutual understanding via the annual human right dialogue mechanism and other bilateral exchange frameworks, said Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang highlighted Vietnam’s respect, full participation, and consistent attention to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process while addressing a workshop in Hanoi on July 14.
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on July 14 wrapped up its 47th session in Geneva, Switzerland, with 27 resolutions adopted, including one regarding climate change and human rights, which was initiated and compiled by Vietnam together with Bangladesh and the Philippines, focusing on vulnerable groups, especially the disabled and the elderly.
Vietnam has been and will continue to be an active member of the international community and the United Nations (UN), affirmed President Nguyen Xuan Phuc while hosting outgoing UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Kamal Malhotra in Hanoi on August 12.
Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Vietnam's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, has emphasised the top priority to ending violence, protecting civilians, especially women and children, and ensuring security and safety of UN staff and representative agencies, foreign diplomatic staff, international organisations and foreigners in Afghanistan.
The UN Security Council (UNSC) needs to seek solutions for emerging challenges to global peace and security based on the UN Charter and international law, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, told the UNSC briefing with the Elders on September 7.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly departed from Hanoi on August 10 morning for a four-day state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK), which is made at an invitation of RoK President Lee Jae Myung.
As part of the ASEAN Day celebrations, the Vietnamese embassy will also host the ASEAN Family Day 2025 in Ottawa to foster solidarity and community spirit among ASEAN members in Canada.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Phuong Anh, deputy head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN), World Trade Organisation (WTO) and other international organisations in Geneva. (Photo: baoquocte.vn) 
