UN Human Rights Council talks about rights of people with disabilities amid climate change
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) looked into the rights of people with disabilities in the context of climate change during its 44th session in Geneva on July 8.
Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, head of the Vietnamese mission in Geneva (Photo: VNA)
Geneva (VNA) - The UnitedNations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) looked into the rights of people withdisabilities in the context of climate change during its 44th session in Geneva on July 8.
This is an initiative from Vietnam, thePhilippines, and Bangladesh, who co-authored the council’s annual resolution onclimate change and human rights.
Delegates shared views on the adverseand unequal impact of climate change on human rights, especially people withdisabilities - the most vulnerable group in a crisis like the ongoing COVID-19pandemic.
The majority of those with disabilities live in poverty andthis is one of the key components affecting the exposure of persons withdisabilities to the impacts of climate change. Others are discrimination andstigma.
Intersecting factors related to gender, age, ethnicity,geography, migration, religion and sex can put persons with disabilities ateven higher risk, they said.
They proposed integrating the rights ofdisabled people into the compilation and implementation of policies andinitiatives against climate change, thus ensuring their voice is heard in theseprocesses.
On behalf of ASEAN, Ambassador Le ThiTuyet Mai, head of the Vietnamese mission in Geneva, told the meeting about thebloc’s efforts in and commitment to fighting climate change.
She said protecting and promoting the rightsof people with disabilities is a persistent priority of ASEAN, as reflectedthrough the ASEAN Vision 2025 and the 2025 ASEAN Enabling Masterplan onMainstreaming the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
ASEAN always attaches importance tointernational cooperation on climate change response and hopes that countrieswill make strong financial commitments to this in 2020.
ASEAN also hopes that the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 26) to the UN FrameworkConference on Climate Change in Glasgow in 2021will be a success.
Vietnam, thePhilippines, and Bangladesh plan to introduce a resolution on human rights andclimate change, focusing on the rights of the elderly, to the council duringthe meeting for consideration./.
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has adopted 26 resolutions, including a resolution on climate change and human rights co-authored by Vietnam, the Philippines and Bangladesh, during its 41st session in Geneva, Switzerland.
Ambassador Duong Chi Dung, head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the UN, the WTO and other international organisations, is leading a Vietnamese delegation to attend the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on the impact of climate change on human rights, which opened in Geneva on September 9.
Preventing conflicts, enhancing preventive diplomacy, settling conflicts via peaceful measures, intensifying multilateralism, consolidating sustainable development, coping with climate change and promoting human rights will be Vietnam’s priorities during its term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2020-2021.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on February 18 applauded the achievements Vietnam has recently recorded in the field of human rights.
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, head of the Vietnamese mission in Geneva (Photo: VNA) 
