Orientation of thinking, promotion of standards

Delegates attending the Workshop took a group photo. (Photo: PH)

The workshop was attended by Associate Professor, Dr. Le Hai Binh, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Editor-in-Chief of Communist Magazine, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet, nearly 300 delegates attending in person and more than 250 delegates registering to attend online.

At the same time, this Conference gathered nearly 50 speakers who are prestigious experts from 23 countries and international organizations; nearly 100 delegates from foreign representative agencies in Vietnam, 22 Ambassadors, many of whom directly participated in coordinating the Conference sessions. Many reporters from domestic and foreign news agencies and television stations attended and reported directly on the Conference.

In her opening remarks, Acting Director of the Diplomatic Academy, Ambassador Dr. Pham Lan Dung shared the reason for choosing the beautiful city of Ha Long, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as the venue for this year's conference, as a testament to the greatness and resilience of nature. Like the legend of Ha Long, the Organizing Committee wishes to convey the message of the mission of protecting the precious things, which are peace, stability and common prosperity in the East Sea, as well as demonstrating the determination to find sustainable solutions for the region.

Acting Director of the Diplomatic Academy, Ambassador, Dr. Pham Lan Dung delivered the opening speech at the Workshop. (Photo: PH)

Ambassador Dr. Pham Lan Dung said that after many years of discussion, the East Sea remains a hot spot, with territorial disputes and differences in maritime claims, along with the militarization of the region. However, like islands that stand firm against the storm, the parties must remain steadfast in their efforts to pursue peace and diplomacy; and like the process of polishing a stone, diplomatic progress requires time, patience and optimism.

At the opening session, Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet delivered a keynote speech, in which he assessed that the world is facing a major turning point, the transition to a multipolar, multi-centered situation is full of surprises, unpredictable, and if not well controlled, could lead to disaster; he said that trust in current institutions and rules is gradually decreasing and unilateral actions will prevail, ignoring the legitimate interests of the parties and the international community.

Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet assessed that this trend has been narrowing the space for dialogue, diplomacy and cooperation; pushing the arms race and deterrence measures to the forefront of many countries' strategies.

According to the Deputy Minister, competition among major countries today is not simply to fight for territory, sea areas, resources, to control trade, technology and military capabilities, but more importantly to influence the viewpoints and visions that will shape the international system in the future. Therefore, the Deputy Minister highly appreciated the theme "Orienting thinking, promoting standards" which shows the current topicality and urgency.

In that context, Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet affirmed that compliance with widely recognized principles and standards is the foundation for ensuring international peace and stability; and is also the common framework for countries to resolve disputes peacefully and cooperatively.

The Deputy Minister assessed that the 30th anniversary of the entry into force of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of UNCLOS as a comprehensive legal framework regulating all activities at sea and oceans and as a basis for actions and cooperation at sea at the national, regional and global levels; therefore, the integrity of UNCLOS needs to be maintained.

Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet delivered the opening speech at the Conference. (Photo: PH)

Vietnam's nomination of its first candidate for the position of judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the 2026-2035 period reaffirms Vietnam's readiness to contribute to the activities of ITLOS; at the same time, it demonstrates its strong and steadfast commitment to UNCLOS in particular and to the United Nations Charter and international law in general.

On this occasion, Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet also informed that the recently signed Document for the Future of the United Nations continues to affirm the global determination in dealing with human challenges through multilateral cooperation; emphasizing that ASEAN should be trusted and entrusted with the role of intermediary and connector, because ASEAN's principles of openness, inclusiveness, transparency and respect for international law will connect all parties.

The 16th International Conference on the East Sea took place over two days, October 23-24, with 7 sessions on diverse topics: Towards a multipolar order: “Hot peace”, “Cold war” or “Peaceful coexistence”?; ASEAN’s central role in the challenge: Proactive or hiding and biding time?; Safety and freedom of navigation from the Red Sea to the East Sea: Whose responsibility is it?; UNCLOS after 30 years: Still valid?; Revisiting the obligation not to use or threaten to use force in resolving and preventing conflicts; Autonomous vehicles at sea: Can artificial intelligence self-correct?; and Diplomacy, Defense or Deterrence: Which option for peace?

The workshop attracted the attention of domestic and international diplomats and scholars. (Photo: PH)

In addition to the 7 main discussion sessions, this year's Conference also has 2 keynote sessions, with important keynote presentations by Judge Horinouchi Hidehisa, ITLOS and by leading officials from many countries such as Ms. Catherine West, Secretary of State for the Indo-Pacific, Foreign and Development Office (FCDO), UK; MP Tim Watts, Co-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia; Mr. Scott Millar, Assistant Secretary for Policy, Canadian Ministry of National Defence; Mr. Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro (Director General of the ASEAN Cooperation Department, Head of ASEAN SOM Indonesia); Mr. Niclas Kvarnström, Director General of the Asia-Pacific Department, European Union External Action Service (EEAS).

This year, on the sidelines of the main conference, the Organizing Committee continues to organize the Young Leaders Program to search for young faces, the next generation in researching the East Sea issue and spend time discussing at a special session with the theme Young Generation and Maritime Security.

Notably, for the first time, the Organizing Committee held an ASEAN Roundtable to connect leading experts from Southeast Asia to discuss opportunities to promote regional cooperation.

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy (far left), former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, chaired the introductory session right after the opening session of the Workshop. (Photo: PH)

At the event, representatives of Quang Ninh province's leaders assessed that being chosen as the venue for this important conference in the context of having just experienced the biggest storm in the past 30 years is an opportunity to promote the image and potential of the locality, as well as an opportunity to affirm the province's support and commitment to efforts to promote international cooperation, protect sovereignty over seas and islands and develop the marine economy, demonstrating the strong revival of the locality after difficulties and challenges.

Considered as “a miniature Vietnam”, after more than 60 years of construction and development, Quang Ninh province has persistently and consistently implemented the goal of sustainable, inclusive and comprehensive development, transforming the development method from “brown” to “green” based on 3 pillars: Nature – People – Culture; taking people as the center, clearly defining the core values, unique, rich in local cultural identity with the characteristics of “Beautiful nature – Unique culture – Civilized society – Transparent administration – Developed economy – Happy people”.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/khai-mac-hoi-thao-khoa-hoc-quoc-te-ve-bien-dong-lan-thu-16-dinh-huong-tu-duy-phat-huy-chuan-muc-291060.html