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Madam Chair, 

1. My Delegation associates itself with the statement delivered by the Philippines on behalf of ASEAN.  

Madam Chair,

2. The international community today is facing increasingly complex challenges. Against this backdrop, it is more crucial than ever for every Member State, big or small, to promote and uphold the rule of law at all levels. 

This is not only our responsibility but also the pathway for us to rebuild trust, showcase sincerity, bolster solidarity, enhance multilateralism, and effectively respond to the challenges that we are facing. 

3. In this connection, Viet Nam once again highlights the importance of respect for the UN Charter and international law. 

This means that the principles of international law on respect for sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states, non-threat or use of force must be fully complied with. 

This means that double-standard and selective intepretation and implementation of international law are unacceptable.  

This also means that all disputes and conflicts must be resolved by peaceful means in accordance with international law. 

And, given the on-going conflicts in many regions of the world, Viet Nam is of the view that all concerned parties to conflicts must adhere to international law and international humanitarian law, in order to end violence, restore peace, ensure the safety and security of civilians and civilian infrastructures, respond adequately to the urgent humanitarian needs of those in need.

In this regard, we underscore the pivotal role of the international judicial and arbitral mechanisms, including the International Court of Justice. By adhering to the decisions by these mechanisms, we will contribute to fostering amicable relations among nations, international peace and security and sustainable development. 

We also appreciate the contribution of the International Law Commission in promoting universal respect for international law, including through the codification and progressive development of international law. 

4. Viet Nam welcomes the UN’s efforts in supporting Member States to promote the rule of law at international and national levels, including through continued discussions to establish international legal frameworks to address emerging issues including cybersecurity, biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, marine debris and pandemics. 

In this regard, Viet Nam welcomes the adoption of the BBNJ Agreement and is among the first countries that signed the Treaty. We look forward to the early entry into force and implementation of the Treaty. The Treaty is an important milestone, reaffirming the role and importance of the the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as a legal framework for all activities at sea and in oceans. 

As the UN General Assembly has repeatedly emphasized, the universal and unified character of the UNCLOS needs to be protected and its integrity needs to be maintained. 

As one of the founders of Group of Friends of UNCLOS, Viet Nam and nearly 120 other members are actively seeking to improve the coherent understanding of and adherence to UNCLOS, as well as to promote its application in maritime domain. 

The implementation of UNCLOS by all States reflects how the rule of law contributes to international peace and prosperity, and affirms the need to further promote the rule of law in other areas of global concern. 

Madam Chair,

5. Regional efforts dedicated to upholding and promoting the rule of law are equally important. 

ASEAN members are dedicated to transforming South East Asia into a region of peace, stability and prosperity which commits to shared principles, values and norms enshrined in the ASEAN Charter and other important ASEAN documents. 

In this regard, recent developments in the East Sea (also known as the South China Sea) remain a source of concern which undermines peace, security and stability in the region. With a view to ensuring peace and stability in the region and protecting maritime order based on UNCLOS, we call upon all parties concerned to perform their UNCLOS obligations in good faith, enhance mutual trust and confidence, exercise self-restraint, and settle disputes by peaceful means in accordance with the Convention, with full respect for diplomatic and legal process. 

Viet Nam remains committed to implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and working towards the completion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS.

6. At the national level, Viet Nam has made significant progress in fostering legal and judicial reform. 

Along with the introduction of the Law on legal aid in 2017 that helps improve the quality of legal aid service, increased application of information technology in legal aid activities has greatly facilitated people’s access to and use of legal aid service, ensuring equal access to justice for all. For the first time, alternative measures in restorative justice for juvenile offenders are provided in our legal system. The 2014 Law on Organization of the Supreme People's Court, effective from mid-2015, stipulates the establishment of the Family and Juvenile Court.

In this regard, we would like to thank our partners including UNDP, the European Union, the Government of Germany, Japan for their continued support in strengthening our legal and judicial reform, contributing to our commitment to promote the rule of law at the national level. 

7. To conclude, Madam Chair, I would like to reaffirm Viet Nam’s unwavering commitment to working closely other Member States, under your leadership, Madam Chair, to ensure successful deliberation of the Sixth Committee to promote and ensure robust adherence to the rule of law at international and national levels.

I thank you./.