Việtnam Reaffirms Commitment to Rule of Law at National and International Levels

New York, The Gulf Observer: Việtnam remains committed to strengthening the rule of law domestically and working closely with international partners to uphold an international order based on international law, Ambassador Đỗ Hùng Việt, Permanent Representative of Việtnam to the United Nations (UN), has said.

According to the remarks delivered by Việt at a meeting of the UN General Assembly’s Sixth Committee (Legal Committee) during its 81st session in New York from October 7 to 10, international law can maintain its effectiveness and credibility only when states interpret and apply it in good faith, consistently and without selectivity.

He emphasised that states must respect the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, including sovereign equality, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, the prohibition of the threat or use of force, the peaceful settlement of disputes and the fulfilment of international obligations in good faith through concrete action.

Addressing maritime issues, the Vietnamese ambassador reaffirmed that the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides the legal framework governing all activities at sea.

He stressed that all maritime claims and conduct, as well as the settlement of maritime disputes, including those in the East Sea, must comply with UNCLOS.

Until disputes are resolved, the parties concerned should exercise restraint, manage their differences responsibly and refrain from actions that could escalate tensions or further complicate the situation, he added.

Highlighting the connection between the rule of law at the national and international levels, Việt outlined Việt Nam’s ongoing efforts to reform its law-making and enforcement systems.

The reforms include reviewing thousands of legal documents for amendment, replacement or repeal to address overlapping and inconsistent provisions and remove obstacles to development. Other measures include improving criminal and fisheries legislation, strengthening copyright and intellectual property protection, and expanding legal awareness initiatives for citizens and businesses.

Việt also highlighted the country’s efforts to modernise its legal framework in response to emerging technologies. Việt Nam has introduced regulations covering digital technologies, personal data protection, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and digital transformation.

In addition, the country has upgraded its National Legal Database and expanded digital platforms to improve public access to legal information, legal education and legal assistance.

On Việt Nam’s contribution to international legal cooperation, the ambassador noted that the country was the third in the world to ratify the UN Convention against Cybercrime, also known as the Hanoi Convention.

Việt Nam 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, commonly known as the BBNJ Agreement, while continuing to participate actively in international legal forums and bodies.

Participants at the meeting underscored that the rule of law is fundamental to peace, security, international cooperation and sustainable development. They called for the peaceful settlement of disputes, improved access to justice and strengthened judicial mechanisms.

They also recognised the role of UN bodies in codifying and progressively developing international law, while calling for more substantive dialogue and timely exchanges between the Sixth Committee and member states.

Such engagement, participants stressed, is important to ensure that international law reflects the perspectives and legal practices of different regions and legal systems, particularly those of developing countries.

The Sixth Committee is one of the six main committees of the UN General Assembly and comprises representatives of all 193 UN member states. It examines legal questions and contributes to the codification and progressive development of international law.

The UN General Assembly has considered the agenda item “The rule of law at the national and international levels” annually since 2006.