New York (VNA). Vietnam remains committed to advancing the rule of law at home and working with partners to uphold an international order based on international law, Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Vietnam's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said.
Viet spoke at a meeting of the UN General Assembly's Legal Committee, also known as the Sixth Committee, during the 81st session in New York, held from October 7 to 10. The meeting addressed the rule of law at the national and international levels.
He stressed that the effectiveness and credibility of international law depend on states interpreting and applying it in good faith, consistently and without selectivity. This applies especially to the core principles of the UN Charter: sovereign equality, respect for territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, the prohibition of the threat or use of force, peaceful settlement of disputes, and good-faith fulfilment of international obligations through concrete action.
On maritime issues, he affirmed that the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea provides the legal framework for all activities at sea. All maritime claims and conduct, as well as the settlement of maritime disputes, including those in the East Sea, must comply with the convention. Until disputes are finally settled, the parties should exercise restraint, manage differences responsibly and avoid actions that could escalate or further complicate the situation.
Linking the rule of law at the international and national levels, he outlined Vietnam's recent work to update legislation and its enforcement. The work includes reviewing thousands of legal documents for amendment, replacement or repeal to address overlaps and inconsistencies and remove barriers to development; continued improvements to criminal and fisheries legislation; stronger copyright and intellectual property protection; and wider legal outreach to citizens and businesses.
As it updates its legal framework, Vietnam has also introduced rules governing digital technologies, personal data protection, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and digital transformation. Viet said the country had upgraded its National Legal Database and expanded digital platforms to broaden access to legal information, education and assistance.
On Vietnam's international contribution to the rule of law, he said the country was the third in the world to ratify the UN Convention against Cybercrime, known as the Hanoi Convention. Vietnam is also preparing for the full and effective implementation of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, known as the BBNJ Agreement, and continues to participate actively in international legal forums and bodies.
Participants affirmed that the rule of law underpins peace, security, international cooperation and sustainable development, and called for peaceful dispute settlement, justice and access to justice. They praised the role of UN bodies in codifying and progressively developing international law and urged more substantive dialogue and timely exchanges between the Sixth Committee and member states. They said international law should reflect the views and legal practices of different regions and legal systems, particularly the contributions of developing countries.
The Sixth Committee is one of the six main committees of the UN General Assembly and includes all 193 member states. It considers legal matters and promotes the codification and progressive development of international law. The UN General Assembly has considered the rule of law at the national and international levels annually since 2006.
Source: Vietnam News Agency (VNA).
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
