Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Head of the Vietnamese Delegation in Geneva at the 58th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. (Photo: VNA)

The ambassador affirmed Vietnam’s strong cooperation with the council, saying that the country completed its fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) last September and is devising a master plan to implement the accepted recommendations.

The diplomat said, the Vietnamese economy grew by over 7% in 2024, while the country’s multidimensional poverty rate fell to 1.9%, health insurance coverage was expanded, and education quality was improved nationwide. Vietnam targeted an economic growth rate of over 8% in 2025, paving the way for a double-digit growth from 2026 onward and creating better conditions for human rights advancement.

The Vietnamese ambassador also reaffirmed the country’s commitment to climate change response, with a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 and a focus on ensuring a just energy transition.

He announced Vietnam’s candidacy for the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term, pledging Vietnam’s readiness to cooperate with partners to promote a comprehensive human rights agenda based on dialogues and cooperation.