Protecting and promoting human rights in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic was discussed at a workshop jointly held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Hanoi on December 15.

The Asia-Pacific Intangible Cultural Heritage Information Sharing Platform System named “ichLinks” has been launched by the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts (VICAS) in collaboration with the International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (ICHCAP).

The plenary and closing session of the 30^th meeting of state parties to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) took place at the UN headquarters in New York on December 9 with the participation of nearly 120 member states.

The UN General Assembly during its plenary session on December 7 gave approval to the consensus of Resolution A/RES/75/27 to observe International Day of Epidemic Preparedness on December 27 each year.

The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) convened its second Special Meeting via video conference from November 23 to 25, the last official meeting chaired by Vietnam in its capacity as AICHR Chair 2020.

The construction of a Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Monument commenced in Tboung Khmum province in Cambodia on November 20.

The visit to the historic site aims to show respect for Vietnamese culture, including the nation’s traditional fondness for learning.

The Indian Consulate General in HCM City for the first time hosted a celebration of the traditional Festival of Lights (Diwali) of India in the city on November 15.

Deputy Minister Vũ Chiến Thắng hosted on November 3 a reception at Ministry of Home Affairs’s headquarters for visiting Ambassador Pier Giorgio Aliberti, Head of the European Union (EU) delegation to Vietnam.

A requiem has been solemnly held for soldiers, officers and civilians killed in the recent devastating floods and landslides in central Vietnam by Vietnamese expats in Laos at Vientiane-based Phat Tich Pagoda.

Vietnam will continue to cooperate proactively and responsibly with the UN and countries to promote the rule of law at both national and international levels, Ambassador Đặng Đình Quý, head of the Vietnam mission to the UN affirmed.

A Vietnamese mission led by Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and other international organisations in Geneva, has actively participated in the 45th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) from September 14 to October 7.

On Sept 17, in Uong Bi City, the People's Committees of Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, and Bac Giang provinces co-organized a meeting to reach consensus on some contents of the nomination dossier to be submitted to UNESCO for recognition of the Complex of Yen Tu Monuments and Landscape located in 3 provinces as a World Heritage.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has gazetted 38 heritage sites in Southeast Asia under its list of World Heritage Sites (WHS) for their unique cultural values, historical background and otherworldly landscapes. The list includes temples, historic ruins, terraced rice fields and tropical rainforests, all of which are capable of attracting millions of visitors from around the globe.

Apollos University held on September 6 a ceremony at the National Academy of Public Administration’s branch in Ho Chi Minh City for presenting certificates to graduation students of online courses and honorary doctorates and professors to individuals with social and educational impacts in communities.