Vietnam chairs meeting on UNCLOS’s role in sustainable sea, ocean preservation
The Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN) chaired an online meeting of the Group of Friends on the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on July 21.
New York (VNA) – The Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UnitedNations (UN) chaired an online meeting of the Group of Friends on the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of t💎he Sea (UNCLOS)on July 21.
The event's theme highlights theiꦉmportance of the UNCLOS in the fulfillment of UN Sustainable Development Goal No.14 (SDG 14) on conservation and sustainable use of seas and oceans”.
Professor of internationallaw Malcolm Evans was invited as a keynote speaker at the event.
Evans said the UNCLOS, or “Charterof the Oceans”, is a framework covering all activities at seas and oceans,ensuring the balance between the demand for exploiting resources from seas and rights to freedom at sea, and sea management for common benefits.
A dispute settlement mechanismunder the UNCLOS helps peacefully address disputes among nations, promoteunderstanding about the UNCLOS, he said, adding that the UNCLOS could beregularly updated to meet current and future challenges in sea and ocean fieldsuch as marine security and safety, marine environment pollution, seabed resources exploitation and biodiversity.
About the SDG 14 implementation,he proposed expanding goals to meet new requirements for sustainabledevelopment such as seabed natural resource exploitation and response tochallenges caused by climate change and rising sea level.
Participants affirmed theUNCLOS’s central role and highly valued the role of the mechanism on peaceful settlementof disputes in promoting rules-based legal order at sea, contributing to theSDG implementation.
Several opinions expressedwish to🌼 soon restore negotiations on documents about biodiversity outside zonesunder jurisdiction, and pay attention to the use of science-technolog𓆉y inresearch, exploitation and preservation of seas and oceans.
They discussed challengessuch as sea environment pollution, unsustainable use of seas and oceans,climate change, rising sea level, and the impacts of disputes at sea onsustainable development.
Speaking at the event, headof the Vietnam Mission to the UN Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy said the Group ofFriends will maintain its regular activities, thus increasing understandingabout the UNCLOS and sharing good practices to meet the international community’sconcern.
Founded on June 30, 2021 under the initiative of 12 countries, including Vietꦍnam, Germany and others, the group now comprises 107 UN member states, including five permanent members ofthe UN Security Council a🎃nd others in Southeast Asia./.
Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu on July 12 issued a statement calling on relevant sides to comply with the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)’s ruling in settling disputes in the East Sea, internationally known as the South China Sea.
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne has affirmed Australia’s position which is guided by principled support for international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The international community has continuously called on parties concerned to follow international practices and rules, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) amid the complicated developments in the East Sea.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang cleared up deputies' concern regarding how to spur socio-economic growth, renew traditional growth motives and establish new momentum for development.
Vietnam proposed several priorities: narrowing the digital divide, strengthening women’s leadership in the digital economy and AI governance, and mobilising sustainable financing for gender equality initiatives in line with each country’s national priorities and context. Vietnam also advocated for genuine women’s participation and leadership across all areas of public life.
Ha expressed his hope that cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, and natural resources would emerge as new focal points and engines of growth in Vietnam–China relations.
Giang said he believes that building on the solid foundation nurtured over the past half-century and the strong determination of both nations, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to grow in a more robust, comprehensive, and extensive manner, thus bringing more practical benefits to the two nations' people.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the draft law in revitalising Vietnam’s railway industry, Hoang Van Cuong, a deputy of Hanoi, expressed his support for Article 39, which empowers the Prime Minister to issue a list of railway-related goods and services to be assigned or ordered from domestic enterprises for production.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, Hoan, formerly Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, is under investigation for allegedly taking bribes in connection with a case involving the Hoang Long Construction and Manpower Supply JSC and related units.
Chairing a national conference on the organisation of the examination on June 18, the PM highlighted the historical significance of the examination, as the restructuring of provincial-level administrative units is underway and the two-tier local administration model is set to officially begin operations on July 1.
Right on the same day, the ministry issued its highest-level travel warning, urging Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Israel or Iran, and advised those already in these countries to swiftly consider evacuation or relocation plans.
From the struggles against colonialists and imperialists to the period of Doi moi (renewal) and international integration, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has always played a pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front, he said.
The Party leader's working session with the standing boards of the Party Committees of HCM City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong, the VNA General Director's remarks on the occasion of the 19th OANA General Assembly, the launch of new NIC - Google initiatives aimed at bolstering AI entrepreneurship and digital literacy in Vietnam are among news highlights June 18.
Vietnam and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism as it remains a threat to peace, security, and stability across their respective nations, the broader region, and the international community.
The Vietnamese representative also emphasised the shared responsibility of relevant parties to build trust, enhance cooperation, and jointly manage the risks of conflict, thus safeguarding long-term peace and stability in the East Sea.
The National Assembly on June 18 passed the law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality, with 408 out of 420 participating deputies voting in favour, accounting for 85.36% of the total.
The Party leader asked the new HCM City to embrace a multi-centre and integrated urban ecosystem where each development pole functions as a link complementary to and intelligently connected with each other in a harmonious whole.
The resolutions issued by the PM as well as ministries and ministry-level agencies reassign responsibility for 346 administrative procedures - 18 from district to provincial levels, 278 to commune level, and 50 eliminated.
Legislators are due to pass several amended laws, including the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, and the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality.
Vietnamese localities' readiness to implement the two-tier local administration model, the evacuation of 18 Vietnamese citizens from Iran, Petrovietnam's 11th ranking in the 2025 Fortune Southeast Asia 500 are among news highlights on June 17 evening.
The General Secretary underlined the resolve to achieve a growth rate of at least 8% in 2025, laying the groundwork for double-digit growth in the following period. He noted that these are mandatory targets, with no alternative path to success.
At the event (Photo: VNA) 
