Vietnam News Today (Sep. 27): Vietnam Up Two Notches in Global Innovation Index Ranking
	Vietnam News Today (Sep. 28): Vietnam, RoK Intensify Defense Cooperation

Parliamentarians of the two nations share legislation experiences at the first meeting of the Vietnam – Cuba Inter-parliamentary Cooperation Committee. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Cuba beef up parliamentary cooperation

A delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) led by Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai paid a working visit to Cuba from September 21-27 to concretize the protocol on cooperation between the two parliaments.

Authorized by NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man, Hai co-chaired the first meeting of the Vietnam – Cuba Inter-parliamentary Cooperation Committee with President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernández.

At the event, the two sides affirmed their resolve to support and enhance the solidarity, friendship and special traditional cooperation between the two nations as well as the important role of the parliamentary collaboration in consolidating and promoting the special fraternal solidarity, cited VNA.

They underscored the necessity to expand the inter-parliamentary relationship between the two NAs and agreed to foster close collaboration bilaterally as well as at regional and international forums, consolidate coordination capacity, enhance and regularly supervise activities to effectively carry out the cooperation documents signed between the two nations.

Earlier, the committees of the two NAs held meetings on several issues such as economy, finance, energy, health care, dialogue, defense and security. The parliamentarians of both sides shared their practical legislation experiences.

During his stay in Cuba, Hai and the delegation visited the Mariel Special Development Zone in Artemisa province to study the local socio-economic situation and discuss with the Cuban sides about Vietnam’s investment projects in the zone.

Additionally, the delegation also had working sessions with the Office of the Comptroller General during which the two sides discussed measures to enhance bilateral audit cooperation.

Hai and the delegation also laid a wreath at the monument dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh at the park named after the late leader in Havana.

UN Human Rights Council adopts Vietnam’s UPR cycle IV report

The United Nations Human Rights Council on September 27 adopted Vietnam’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) cycle IV report within the framework of its 57th regular session in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet announced its stance on the UPR cycle IV recommendations and shared updates on the situation regarding human rights in Vietnam, as well as efforts to ensure safety, stabilize livelihoods, and quickly restore production for the people affected by recent Typhoon Yagi.

The session attracted interest and participation from about 90 representatives of countries, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that have consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), including several Vietnamese NGOs.

In his remarks, Viet highlighted severe human and material losses caused by Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam as well as prompt response and recovery efforts by the government. He expressed sincere gratitude to countries, partners, and UN agencies for their support and solidarity during this time.

According to Viet, Vietnam has accepted 271 out of a total of 320 recommendations made by countries during its report presentation in May 2024, recording a rate of 84.7% - the highest in four cycles. It reaffirmed its commitment and consistent policy of the protection and promotion of human rights, as well as its respect for the UPR mechanism and the Human Rights Council.

This stance has been adopted based on a thorough review of the recommendations, with full participation from relevant agencies. A comprehensive plan to implement these recommendations is expected to be developed and carried out with the active involvement of all stakeholders in the spirit of dialogue and cooperation, he said.

Viet updated the Human Rights Council on the protection and promotion of human rights in Vietnam since the presentation and dialogue on Vietnam’s national report. He reaffirmed that Vietnam continues to enhance its legal framework for human rights through the enactment and amendment of several important laws related to human rights and citizen rights.

Despite the severe consequences of Typhoon Yagi, he said the country’s economic growth trajectory remains positively and steadily forecasted, along with the promotion of scientific and technological applications and innovation in production and business, serving as a solid foundation to ensure rights for all citizens. The promotion of gender equality, women empowerment and protection of vulnerable groups have also made positive strides recently.

The Deputy Foreign Minister also shared about the 2024 amnesty policy for thousands of prison inmates, facilitating their reintegration into society and encouraging them to contribute positively to the community, according to VOV.

A panoramic view ò the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo: UNHCR)

Representatives from various countries, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) expressed their deep condolences to Vietnam over the losses caused by the typhoon. They praised Vietnam’s serious participation throughout the UPR process, particularly its high rate of acceptance of recommendations and the structured implementation plan.

Acknowledging Vietnam’s efforts and achievements in protecting and promoting human rights, especially in the context of facing numerous challenges such as pandemics, climate change, and natural disasters, the delegates noted the progress made in Vietnam regarding the improvement of institutions and laws related to human rights, socio-economic development, innovation, sustainable poverty reduction, social welfare, and the rights of vulnerable groups.

Many countries encouraged Vietnam to leverage its experiences and best practices in implementing the UPR recommendations. Some NGOs emphasized that they had been given opportunities to contribute to the UPR process in Vietnam, sharing that many of their proposals have been adopted and implemented by the government, particularly in ensuring gender equality, empowering women, and promoting sustainable development.

At the conclusion of the session, the Human Rights Council reached a consensus to adopt the results of Vietnam’s UPR cycle IV report, marking the completion of the review cycle related to the protection and promotion of human rights in Vietnam and moving into the phase of implementing the recommendations.

Vietnam hopes for further cooperation with OECD at UN forums: Ambassador

Meeting with Andreas Schaal, Director for OECD Global Relations and Cooperation, as well as the OECD Sherpa to the G7, the G20 and APEC, Giang affirmed that the OECD has played an important role in the enhancement of the implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), global management as well as support for developing countries in the areas.

The ambassador highlighted that the organization could have a significant part in bridging the substantial gap between developed and developing countries while appreciating the OECD’s technical assistance to Vietnam to deliver on its set target of becoming a high-income nation by 2045, VNA reported.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (R) and Andreas Schaal, Director for OECD Global Relations and Cooperation, as well as the OECD Sherpa to the G7, the G20 and APEC. (Photo: VNA)

Schaal, for his part, extended his condolences over the passing of late General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong as well as the losses and difficulties that the Vietnamese people have suffered from typhoon Yagi.

He said Vietnam and the OECD have enjoyed close coordination in carrying out the SDGs as well as in many other areas, expressing his wish to set up information exchange mechanisms with developing countries, the Group of 77 (G77) and ASEAN.

Government leader receives RoK Police Agency Commissioner General Cho Ji-ho

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on September 28 met with Commissioner General Cho Ji-ho of the National Police Agency of the Republic of Korea, who is leading a high-level delegation to the second Vietnam-RoK Police Cultural and Sports Exchange Program.

Welcoming the delegation’s visit, Chinh expressed his happiness to see that relations between the two countries have entered a new phase following the establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022.

He praised the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and the Korean National Police Agency for their substantial and effective cooperation in information exchange, training, as well as in international collaboration, contributing to reinforcing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the RoK.

He suggested that both sides further promote effective cooperation by implementing projects to enhance the capacity of the Vietnamese police and to support each other at multilateral forums, cited VOV.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Korean National Police Agency's Commissioner General Cho Ji-ho during their meeting in Hanoi on September 28. (Photo: VGP)

The Prime Minister also urged both sides to continue focusing on protecting the legitimate rights and interests of the Vietnamese community in the RoK and the Korean community in Vietnam, especially multicultural families of Vietnamese-Korean descent.

He also requested that the Korean National Police Agency advocate for the Korean government to waive visa requirements for Vietnamese citizens based on the bilateral cooperation and the historical and cultural ties between the two countries and their peoples.

Cho for his part extended his sympathy to Vietnam over huge losses caused by Typhoon Yagi, and expressed his belief that the recovery and reconstruction efforts will be hastened so that life will return to normal soon.

He appreciated the Prime Minister’s proposals to promote bilateral relations, particularly in the fields of defense and security. He noted that this is his first overseas trip in his current role, and that he personally will continue to strive to enhance the relationship between the two countries further.

He also requested that Vietnam create a safe and favorable environment for RoK citizens and businesses in Vietnam. He assured that the RoK side is committed to ensuring the security and safety of tourists and Vietnamese individuals in the country.

Spreading the image of Uncle Ho's soldiers in Abyei

Vietnam’s Military Engineering Unit Rotation 2 has successfully fulfilled its peacekeeping mission at the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) and was welcomed home with a ceremony at Hanoi-based Noi Bai International Airport on September 28.

Major General Pham Manh Thang, Director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations under the Ministry of National Defense, lauded the efforts made by the soldiers during their one-year term in Abyei, leaving lasting impressions on international friends and local people in particular about a friendly, responsible and noble Vietnam, reported WVR.

At the ceremony to welcome home Military Engineering Unit Rotation 2. (Photo: VNA)

They helped promote the image of Uncle Ho’s soldiers as well as Vietnamese blue beret soldiers to the world and create close links between the local administrations, residents and the UN’s peacekeeping force, thus creating favorable conditions for the next units to successfully carry out their missions, he affirmed.

Colonel Nguyen Viet Hung, head of the unit, said within one year in Abyei, the unit repaired a 59-kilometer road linking Sudan and South Sudan, opened new patrol routes with a total length of 337 kilometers, towered 86 vehicles of the UN stuck in mud and ensured the construction, maintenance and consolidation of a helicopter landing site.

The unit also carried out other special missions as requested by the UNISFA on the basis of the MoU signed between the Vietnamese Government and the UN to support humanitarian activities in areas with difficulties while engaging in humanitarian assistance to local people, he added.

Vietnam News Today (Sep. 25): Vietnam’s Top Leader Addresses General Debate of UNGA's 79th Session Vietnam News Today (Sep. 25): Vietnam promotes cooperation with UK, Algeria; Vietnam’s top leader addresses General Debate of UNGA's 79th session; Vietnam continues to deploy ...

Vietnam News Today (Sep. 26): Vietnam Prioritizes Strengthening Relations With WB Vietnam News Today (Sep. 26): Top Vietnamese leader begins Cuba visit; Vietnam prioritizes strengthening relations with WB: top leader; Vietnam sets up diplomatic relations with ...