An international workshop on Experience in Reporting under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) was held in Hà Nội on Thursday. — VNA/VNS Photo Lâm Khánh

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Việt Nam, yesterday organised an international workshop on “Experience in reporting under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism.”

In his remarks, Director of the MoFA’s Department of International Organisations Phạm Hải Anh noted that since joining the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism, Việt Nam has shown its seriousness and responsibility, with more recommendations accepted by the country, reaching 83 per cent of the UPR third cycle recommendations, higher than the average of other countries.

In early 2022, Việt Nam submitted its voluntary midterm report on the implementation of the UPR third cycle recommendations to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), becoming one of the 39 countries that have presented the document.

For the fourth cycle, the country plans to submit its report to the council in early 2024, and the UNHRC is scheduled to approve the review during its 57th session in September the same year, according to Anh.

During the process of report compilation, Việt Nam has made efforts in ensuring some principles, including the implementation of UPR recommendations in combination with its guidelines and policies on guaranteeing and prompting human rights, and building a rule-of-law socialist State, he said.

Addressing the event, UN Resident Coordinator in Việt Nam Pauline Tamesis commended Việt Nam's strong commitments to ensuring policy frameworks, and combining socio-economic growth with human rights, as demonstrated in its reports.

“At the Human Rights Council, Việt Nam played an important role last month in sponsoring the resolution on the ‘Commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the UDHR’.  I look forward to close engagement with the Government and people of Việt Nam in the implementation of this and other resolutions of the HRC,” she said.

Present at the event, Australian Ambassador Andrew Goledzinowsk lauded Việt Nam’s socio-economic achievements which have enabled millions of people to escape from poverty, and access food, education and security services, saying the country’s health care has met high standards and has been growing.

He held that the Vietnamese Government has exerted great efforts in improving living standards of ethnic minority groups.

The UPR is a unique process to regularly examine human rights records of all 193 UN member states. It is a significant innovation of the HRC based on equal treatment for all countries. The UPR provides an opportunity for all States to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to overcome challenges to the enjoyment of human rights. Sharing of best human rights practices around the globe is embedded in the UPR.  — VNS