(VOVworld) – On the sidelines of the 32^nd session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland, Vietnam attended a discussion on the impacts of climate change on human rights, an initiative of the Core Group on Climate Change. It has affirmed Vietnam’s policy in ensuring human rights, particularly the most vulnerable groups in society.

Ambassadors from EU countries hold  a press conference on the EU Climate Change Action in Vietnam

As one of the 5 countries most seriously affected by climate change, Vietnam has realized the need to respond early to climate change, including combining measures to protect the health community health and disadvantaged groups, ensure the rights to food, housing, and education, and national programs and policies on climate change response.

Awareness and action

It’s estimated that from now until the end of the 21^st century, the average yearly heat in Vietnam will increase be 2 or 3 DC annually, which will lead to sea-levels rising. It will directly affect 10 to 12% of the Vietnamese population and cause about 10% GDP loss.

The negative impacts of climate change on human health have been visible. Extreme weather phenomena, including more severe floods, prolonged droughts, and very high temperature, have caused air pollution, water shortage, and food scarcity which are direct or indirect causes of tropical and infectious diseases and mental health problems.

The consequences have been seen in vulnerable groups including women, old people, children, and people with disabilities.

In agricultural production, the immediate consequence is the crop failure. Farmers will have no capital to reinvest in their production and thus they will become prone to suffering from poverty. Poor people who live in make-shift houses will face the risk of extreme weather and natural disasters such as floods, storms, heat waves, and polluted water.

As a developing country, climate change will have a big impact on Vietnam. Vietnam has implemented drastic measures to respond to climate change.

Enhancing international cooperation

Vietnam has mobilized resources from all sectors, implemented practical measures through the public administration, and given priority to disadvantaged groups along with boosting international cooperation in this field. Vietnam has committed to promoting discussions on the impacts of climate change on human rights at the Human Rights Council with other countries in the core group, firstly introducing a draft resolution on climate change impacts on children’s rights for other countries to comment on before submitting it to the 32^nd session of the Human Rights Council.

Vietnam has mandated to enhance economic, social, and cultural rights in the process of extreme poverty elimination. It has also called for international actions to ensure that poor people benefit from socio-economic development. Vietnam will increase activities toward the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals.