Vietnam commits to observing 1982 UNCLOS

Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, head of Vietnam’s permanent mission to the UN

Nga made the statement at the 28th Meeting of States Parties to UNCLOS which took place in New York from June 11-14.

Vietnam will cooperate with other countries and international organistions to preserve and develop seas and islands sustainably for the future of human being, the ambassador said.

Nga emphasised that Vietnam always advocates addressing disputes in the East Sea by peaceful measures and in line with international law, including UNCLOS.

As a country located along the East Sea, Vietnam has paid special attention to protecting the marine environment and eco-system, and has been aware of adverse impacts of disputes on the sustainable preservation and use of seas and islands, she said.

Vietnam welcomes efforts made by concerned parties to build the East Sea into the waters of peace, stability and sustainable development, Nga said, citing the kick-start of negotiations of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

She stressed that Vietnam calls on all member states to fully observe regulations of the convention, respect diplomatic and legal processes, promote sustainable use of seas and oceans, ensure security, and aviation and navigation safety and freedom in waters, and avoid unilateral activities, including the militarisation of occupied structures, that run counter to objectives of UNCLOS, and adversely impact the marine environment and resources as well as legal and legitimate rights and interests of the member states, and the building of codes of conduct.

The ambassador reiterated Vietnam’s persistent stance on backing the fight against the illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and spoke of Vietnam’s efforts to combat IUU fishing and promptly complete domestic procedures to become a member of the UN Fish Stocks Agreement (UNFSA) and the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate IUU Fishing (PSMA). The meeting brought together representatives from more than 100 member states of UNCLOS, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, the International Seabed Authority, the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, and international and non-governmental organisations operating in the field of seas and oceans.

The participants talked about challenges to maritime administration, and sea-related problems facing the state members such as marine pollution, overexploitation and sea level rise.

They shared the view that UNCLOS should continue to be a comprehensive framework regulating all activities of littoral countries.