UNCLOS 1982 continues to stand the test of time

Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet said that countries can only find solutions to maritime issues in the region through promoting cooperation, by respecting and fully implementing UNCLOS.

UNCLOS 1982 tiếp tục đứng vững trước phép thử của thời gian ảnh 1

Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet delivered the opening speech at the workshop. (Source: International Newspaper)

On November 9, in Hanoi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinated with the Embassies of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the EU to organize the fifth workshop of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) on the application of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other international legal documents in responding to emerging challenges at sea.

Following the success of a series of four seminars on the same topic held since 2019 in Hanoi, this seminar attracted about 150 delegates from 27 ARF member countries, international and regional organizations, diplomatic missions, research institutes, prestigious experts and scholars, and ministries and sectors, both online and in person.

At the workshop, delegates exchanged and discussed ways to cooperate and resolve challenges in marine management in the region, on the basis of applying and implementing UNCLOS 1982 and related international legal documents.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet emphasized the essential role of the ocean in human life, as well as the importance of the ocean and sea in sustainable development.

In the context of the world and the region facing more and more challenges, the Deputy Minister once again affirmed the extremely important role of UNCLOS 1982 - the constitution of the seas and oceans.

The Deputy Minister said that territorial disputes, strategic competition, tensions on the ground, as well as climate change, rising sea levels and unsustainable exploitation of the sea and ocean have put the East Sea, a sea area of strategic and economic importance, at risk of many threats to peace, security and stability, affecting the region's maritime security and safety.

On the other hand, UNCLOS continues to demonstrate its irreplaceable role in resolving maritime issues and disputes, and is a solid foundation for further developing the international legal framework to address emerging challenges.

Evidence of this is the important events of the past year such as: the completion of negotiations on the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), or the fact that a number of countries consulted and participated in the process of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) to review and provide advisory opinions on the provisions of UNCLOS related to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, as well as the negotiation process of the Convention on Plastic Litter, including ocean plastic litter.

UNCLOS 1982 tiếp tục đứng vững trước phép thử của thời gian ảnh 2

Delegates attending the conference at the Hanoi end. (Source: International Newspaper)

Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet said that more than ever, countries can only find solutions to maritime issues in the region through promoting cooperation, by respecting and fully implementing UNCLOS.

The workshop is an opportunity to affirm that UNCLOS 1982 continues to stand the test of time, is an important basis for countries in the region to enhance trust, promote cooperation for peace, security and prosperity; emphasize that all disputes and issues related to seas and oceans in the region need to be resolved by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS 1982.

Sharing the same views with Vietnam, the co-chairs (including the Canadian Ambassador, the Australian Deputy Ambassador in Hanoi, the New Zealand Ambassador and the Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam) all highlighted the role and value of the Convention on the Law of the Sea and thanked the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for hosting this series of workshops.

Canadian Ambassador Shawn Steil expressed concern about developments in the East Sea as well as new issues that are constantly arising at sea; encouraged international cooperation activities, experience sharing and capacity building in related issues.

[15th International Conference on the South China Sea: Promoting Common Understanding]

New Zealand Ambassador Tredene Dobson highlighted the importance of UNCLOS in ensuring the shared prosperity, security and stability of the Pacific-Indian Ocean region.

Australian Deputy Ambassador Mark Tattersall expressed that Australia has accompanied the ARF Workshop on UNCLOS for 5 years, with confidence in ASEAN's central role in resolving regional issues, especially maritime issues, emphasizing the need for joint efforts of countries in the region.

The Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam emphasized the importance of maritime in global economic development, along with maritime security and safety in the East Sea, hoping that relevant countries will soon adopt a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), in accordance with international law and taking into account the legitimate interests of third parties.

In the morning, delegates discussed two main groups of issues, including the adjustment of UNCLOS 1982 and related legal documents, focusing on some maritime areas such as high seas, seabed beyond national jurisdiction and extended continental shelf; traditional and emerging challenges in the implementation of UNCLOS 1982, including UNCLOS's provisions on combating climate change and the issue of national responsibility for causing damage to submarine communication cables of other countries.

The statements all highlighted the value of UNCLOS 1982 over the past 40 years, emphasizing that this is a comprehensive legal framework that all activities at sea must comply with, as well as the basis for promoting cooperation in handling traditional and emerging issues at sea and in the ocean in the region./.

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