Mr Bang made the remarks on June 20 while delivering a speech at a high-level meeting of the council, which organised its first session in Geneva from June 19-30.

He added that the establishment of the Human Rights Council is a historical landmark, opening a new era for the United Nations.

"We want the UN Human Rights Council to make a new change in promoting and protecting all human rights in the world," he said.

The diplomat insisted that the council be a forum to promote fairness and objectiveness and to solve all problems ranging from civil and political rights to social, economic, cultural and development rights.

Deputy Foreign Minister Bang affirmed the Vietnamese State's policy of respecting and promoting human rights and Vietnam's achievements in this issue, stressing the country's tradition in promoting and defending the rights of people who are considered the driving force behind the success of national construction and development.

According to the deputy FM, Vietnam's socio-economic development policies are focused on human beings, while promoting human rights is an important factor for sustainable development and success of the country's industrialisation and modernisation process.

Vietnam's achievements in promoting and protecting human rights were highly valued at the conference to review the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, Deputy FM Bang said, adding that Vietnam was one of the first countries to be praised for successfully carrying out the UN noble goals.