Vietnam calls on countries to fully comply with UNCLOS

On December 10-12 (local time), at the United Nations Headquarters in New York (USA), the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly held its annual plenary discussion on oceans and the law of the sea, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), with the participation of many representatives of UN member states and many international and regional organizations.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN, speaks at the annual plenary discussion on oceans and the law of the sea. Photo: Quang Huy/VNA

According to a VNA correspondent in New York, speaking at the meeting, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN, affirmed that UNCLOS - the "Constitution of the Ocean" - is an important achievement and has the greatest impact in the process of codifying modern international law, creating a comprehensive legal framework regulating the rights and obligations of all countries in the activities of using the sea, managing resources and protecting the marine environment; providing a complete system of regulations for countries to delimit maritime zones, determine sovereignty, sovereign rights, jurisdiction and carry out activities in maritime zones, and at the same time resolve disputes and differences in the interpretation and application of the Convention. To cope with the current new and multi-dimensional challenges in marine and ocean governance, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang called on countries to continue to pursue a multilateral approach, further strengthen the role of international and regional mechanisms in this field, and promote the development and adoption of new implementing documents to promote compliance with UNCLOS in each specific area of ​​maritime cooperation. Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang affirmed that all countries, large or small, must fully comply with the standards and legal obligations under the Convention; the actions of each country, including making maritime claims, implementing maritime activities and international maritime cooperation, must be consistent with UNCLOS. At the same time, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang expressed his hope that countries around the world, especially developed countries, would make stronger commitments and actions, allocate more resources and promote technology transfer to developing countries towards fully implementing the criteria of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) by 2030. 2024 also marks the 30th anniversary of Vietnam's ratification and implementation of UNCLOS. Over the past three decades, as an active and responsible member state of the Convention, Vietnam has achieved significant achievements in the implementation of UNCLOS such as promulgating national laws, completing maritime delimitation with most countries and managing marine resources in accordance with the provisions of UNCLOS. Vietnam co-founded the Friends of UNCLOS Group at the UN with nearly 120 member states and has actively coordinated activities to promote compliance with and protect the integrity of UNCLOS. Vietnam also actively participated in the procedures to seek advisory opinions of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on national obligations in the field of climate change under international law and UNCLOS, and introduced candidates for the position of ITLOS Judge for the 2026-2035 term with the desire to contribute more to the promotion of the implementation of the Convention globally. Vietnam always attaches importance to marine economic activities in the strategy to ensure sustainable growth and development of the country, as well as commits to actively participate in the preparation and make substantial contributions to the 3rd UN Ocean Conference on the implementation of SDG 14 by 2025.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN, speaks at the discussion session. Photo: Quang Huy/VNA

Regarding the situation in the East Sea, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang expressed concern about the recent tense activities and incidents in the East Sea that have affected regional peace and security and run counter to the provisions of UNCLOS. Emphasizing Vietnam's principled stance in support of resolving all disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang requested relevant countries to fully and in good faith implement their obligations under UNCLOS, fully and effectively implement the content of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), exercise restraint, build trust, peacefully resolve disputes, and fully respect diplomatic and legal processes. Vietnam always respects the rights of coastal countries to enact maritime laws in accordance with UNCLOS, and at the same time requests respect for the sovereignty and legitimate rights of other coastal countries. Vietnam reaffirms its commitment to fully implement the DOC and actively continue discussions with other countries towards the completion of an effective, substantive and consistent Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, especially UNCLOS. On the same day, the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Annual General Resolution on Oceans and the Law of the Sea with 118 co-sponsors, including Vietnam. UNCLOS was adopted on December 10, 1982 and officially entered into force on November 16, 1994. Vietnam was one of the first 107 countries to sign and then ratify the Convention on June 23, 1994. Currently, UNCLOS has 170 members.

Thanh Tuan - Hoai Thanh (Vietnam News Agency)

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/viet-nam-keu-goi-cac-quoc-gia-tuan-thu-day-du-unclos-20241214071711474.htm