On September 13, during the 57th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Switzerland, Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Head of Viet Nam's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, delivered a statement on behalf of the core group (consisting of Viet Nam, Bangladesh, and the Philippines).
Speaking at a dialogue on the UN Secretary-General's report regarding the impact of climate change-related losses and damages on the full enjoyment of human rights, Ambassador Mai Phan Dung affirmed that climate change is causing severe effects, directly impacting the guarantee of fundamental human rights.
Recent events, such as the effects of Typhoon Yagi (Typhoon No. 3) in Viet Nam, the Philippines, and China, along with floods in Bangladesh, clearly demonstrate the significant damage caused by extreme weather events.
These disasters not only result in considerable loss of life but also force large numbers of people to relocate, destroy infrastructure and livelihoods, and have serious long-term impacts on economic development.
Vulnerable populations, particularly women, children, and people in developing countries, are bearing the brunt of these consequences.
The Ambassador emphasized that the hardships people face due to storms and floods serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for fair solutions, prioritizing support for those most heavily affected, helping them build resilience and adaptability to future extreme weather events.
The Ambassador called on the international community to urgently increase financial resources and adopt human rights-based approaches to address the damages caused by climate change, ensuring that no one is left behind. He underscored that international cooperation and solidarity are key to achieving these goals.