 Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu chairs SPLOS 35. (photo: VOV) |
Vietnam is serving as President of SPLOS for the first time since becoming a member of UNCLOS in 1994. This reflects the international community’s recognition of Vietnam’s efforts in implementing and reinforcing the universal values of UNCLOS and its contributions to UN activities.
Vietnam always upholds UNCLOS 1982
30 years after UNCLOS came into effect the Convention is regarded as the “Constitution for the Oceans”, a foundation for resolving maritime disputes and issues related to the exploitation of marine resources.
UNCLOS 1982 is important for every country, coastal or landlocked. Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu, President of SPLOS 35, said: “The adoption of the Convention created a comprehensive and detailed legal framework on maritime entitlements and established a legal basis for determining maritime zones and for states to assert their water sovereignty and jurisdiction. UNCLOS sets out mandatory dispute resolution mechanisms, encourages peaceful settlement of disputes, and addresses issues related to the interpretation and application of the Convention.”
Over the years, Vietnam has regarded UNCLOS 1982 as a basis for promoting maritime cooperation activities and resolving maritime delimitation issues with neighboring countries.
Lieutenant Colonel Ha Tuan Anh of the Vietnam Coast Guard said: “Based on UNCLOS and Vietnam’s Constitution and law, maritime delimitation agreements between Vietnam and its neighbors have been negotiated, contributing to peaceful, stable, and cooperative relations. In overlapping or undelimited maritime areas, Vietnam respects the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of other countries, while promoting negotiations toward long-term solutions. Vietnam supports efforts to maintain stability and build a peaceful and sustainably friendly maritime environment.”
Vietnam has actively participated in mechanisms established under the Convention. Many Vietnamese experts with high qualifications and experience have joined bodies established under UNCLOS, such as the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea for the 2026–2035 term.
Actively implementing UNCLOS for sustainable ocean governance
In the context of mounting marine challenges, as President of SPLOS 35, Vietnam continues to highlight the value of UNCLOS 1982 and calls on countries to join hands to protect the integrity of the Convention.
Vietnam believes that peace, security, development, and the sustainability of the marine environment depend on full compliance with the Convention. Vietnam believes that parties involved with the East Sea must define maritime zones in line with the Convention and work together for peace, stability, prosperity, and regional development.
Nguyen Thi Lan Huong, Director of the Center for International Law of the East Sea Institute, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, said: "Coastal states use legal tools to bolster their maritime claims, but they must interpret and apply international law, especially UNCLOS, in good faith. Selective interpretation of the Convention’s provisions is unacceptable.”
Under the chairmanship of President Nguyen Minh Vu, SPLOS 35 concluded successfully. It underscored multilateralism in a spirit of cooperation and constructiveness and reaffirmed the vitality and relevance of UNCLOS 1982 in maintaining maritime order and sustainable use of marine resources.