Vietnam reaffirms commitments to develop blue, sustainable oceans

Vietnamese representatives reaffirmed their country’s commitments to develop blue and sustainable oceans when attending the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) held in Lisbon from June 27 to July 1.

Addressing the U.N. Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14): Conserve, sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu emphasised the need to fully and effectively implement the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) - a comprehensive legal framework for all activities at sea and a prerequisite for ensuring peace, security and prosperity, as well as the effective implementation of SDG14.

Vietnam supports negotiations to build new legal frameworks in line with the UNCLOS, including a document on biodiversity of areas outside national jurisdiction and a global agreement on ocean plastic waste, Hieu said, highlighting the nation’s efforts over the past time in joining hands with the international community to deal with marine issues.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, permanent representative of Vietnam to the U.N., said that in recent years, Vietnam has made efforts to carry out the SDG14, including the sustainable development of Vietnam's marine economy to 2030.

To respond to marine challenges, it is necessary to promote the implementation of international conventions, take advantage of scientific and technological developments, and conduct new research.

The Vietnamese delegation also called for strengthening international cooperation, technology transfer and expertise sharing, especially for developing countries, and enhancing the scientific content in marine policy planning and implementation.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made four proposals to help tackle the current ocean emergency, including investing in sustainable economy, using the ocean as a model for managing global issues, protecting the oceans and those depending on them, and investing in early warning systems to protect coastal communities.

Countries affirmed that the oceans play an important role in peace, security, health, environment and sustainable development, as well as the prosperity of nations.

As current cross-border challenges cannot be solved by a single country and are exacerbated by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, they called for promoting international cooperation, marine scientific research and building a sustainable blue economy to mitigate and address these challenges.

The U.N. conference attracts the participation of nearly 20 heads of state, nearly 100 foreign, environment and natural resources ministers, and thousands of representatives from countries, international organisations, and related parties.