Vietnam promotes comprehensive approach to human rights in ASEAN
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son commended the AICHR’s contributions over the past 15 years and expressed confidence in its continued role in advancing the realisation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and other regional cooperation strategies.
An overview of the ASEAN foreign ministers' interface with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) in Kuala Lumpur (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Promoting and ensuring human rights involve multiple sectors and pillars, requiring a comprehensive approach an🧸d enhanced coordination betwꦡeen the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and specialised agencies to optimise resources for human rights cooperation, a Vietnamese official has said.
Speaking at the dialogue with the AICHR on July 8, as part of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-58) and related gatherings in Kuala Lumpur, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son commended the AICHR’s contributions over the past 15 years and expressed confidence in its continued role in advancing the realisation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and other regional cooperation strategies.
While acknowledging the progress made, he urged the commission to address emerging challenges such as poverty, harsh labour conditions, and the impact of technology on human rights.
He also announced that Vietnam will host an AICHR workshop on the rights of seafarers later this year to raise awareness, share best practices, and promote cooperation in this crucial area.
During the dialogue, ASEAN foreign ministers welcomed the AICHR’s meaningful contributions to the ASEAN Community building and praised its efforts to mainstream human rights across the bloc’s areas of cooperation, including promoting the rights of women, children, and persons with disabilities, and addressing emerging issues such as environmental protection, climate change, mental health, transnational crime, cybersecurity, AI governance, and other advanced technologies.
The ministers adopted the AICHR’s Work Plan for 2026–2030, urging the commission to align its initiatives closely with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. They also encouraged it to adopt innovative, flexible, adaptive, and timely approaches in promoting and protecting human rights, thereby contributing to a resilient, dynamic, creative, and people-centred ASEAN Community.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son at the event (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
The Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Commission meeting was held the same day, during which ASEAN foreign ministers reiterated the treaty’s continued relevance amid growing regional and global security challenges.
They noted the progress in implementing the SEANWFZ Plan of Action for 2023–2027 and agreed to strengthen cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to boost regional capacity in nuclear safety and security, as well as the safe and sustainable use of nuclear energy.
They endorsed efforts to elevate the global profile of the SEANWFZ Treaty, including submitting a draft resolution on this treaty to the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly and intensifying consultations with nuclear-weapon states on signing an SEANWFZ protocol.
Participants also welcomed and pledged to complete the necessary procedures for Timor-Leste’s accession to the SEANWFZ Treaty at the 47th ASEAN Summit in October 2025, reaffirming the region’s commitment to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
In his remarks at the meeting, Deputy PM Son emphasised that, 30 years since its inception, the SEANWFZ Treaty remains a vital testament to ASEAN’s shared commitment to a nuclear weapon-free Southeast Asia. Amid rising nuclear threats, the treaty continues to serve as a cornerstone of the regional security architecture and a significant contribution by ASEAN to global disarmament efforts.
He announced that Vietnam is actively finalising internal procedures to support Timor-Leste’s accession to the treaty, and called for sustained ASEAN dialogue with nuclear-weapon states to encourage their eventual signing of the SEANWFZ protocol. He also proposed greater internal coordination within the bloc to build a unified position on the matter.
On this occasion, he revealed that Vietnam will assume the presidency of the 11th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in 2026, expressing his hope for close coordination and strong support from ASEAN members.
The AMM-58 will officially open at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on July 9. Immediately afterward, Deputy PM Son and ASEAN foreign ministers will participate in the plenary session, a retreat session, and a signing ceremony for new partners joining the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC)./.
Ambassador Binh and other representatives highly appreciated the role of the ASEAN Chair - Malaysia - in coordinating and leading ASEAN cooperation to achieve many advances, gradually concretising the orientation of "inclusivity and sustainability".
Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin said the measure reflects ASEAN’s continued efforts to strengthen global commitment to the principle of nuclear non-proliferation and to make Southeast Asia a fully nuclear weapon-free zone.
The regional workshop on gender lens perspective on business and human rights in ASEAN from June 30 to July 1 features five discussion panels, including one chaired by Vietnam’s representative to AICHR, Nguyen Thanh Trung, focusing on mainstreaming gender perspectives into policies, processes, mechanisms, and business operations.
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.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
Over the past five decades, the Vietnam - Angola relationship has grown steadily, marked by political trust and close bonds between their Parties, States, Governments, and peoples, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
President Luong Cuong called on the two countries to join hands to promote South – South cooperation, contribute to building a fair and equal global political and economic order, safeguard independence and sovereignty, and promote extensive and substantive international solidarity and cooperation.
President Luong Cuong called on the community to remain united, integrate well into local society, adhere to local laws, and continue contributing to both Angola’s development and Vietnam – Angola relations.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Angola Carolina Cerqueira agreed to continue strengthening political trust, boost high-level delegation exchanges via all channels, including the parliamentary one, and create favourable legal conditions for bilateral cooperation.
