Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Pham Quang Hieu delivers the opening remarks at the dialogue. Photo: VNA

Addressing the 8th Ocean Dialogue in Hanoi on Wednesday themed “40th Anniversary of UNCLOS: Promoting maritime cooperation in Southeast Asia”, Hieu said that for the first time, a comprehensive legal framework, a "constitution" of the oceans was established.

“Over the past 40 years, the legal order established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea has greatly contributed to maintaining international peace and stability. The peaceful settlement of disputes at sea in accordance with international law has also been promoted. Amid increasing challenges at sea, the international community should uphold the rule of law and comply in good faith with its legal obligations under the Convention, especially in making claims and conduct operations at sea. States should promote cooperation at the global and regional levels for the conservation and sustainable use of seas and oceans, while ensuring freedom of navigation and lawful navigational activities,” he said. 

Delegates preside over the dialogue. Photo: VNA

Deputy Minister Hieu called for further cooperation on the basis of respecting the legitimate rights and obligation of coastal states as well as landlocked countries, and among the members and non-members of the UNCLOS.  He urged countries to work harder to respect international law, including the UNCLOS, enhance confidence, exercise self-restraint, refrain from conducting activities that may further complicate the situation or escalate tensions in the East Sea, and at the same time, comply with the Convention in determining maritime claims and resolving maritime disputes by peaceful means.

The one-day dialogue was attended by more than 150 direct and 100 online participants, including 15 speakers from 14 countries and territories, and representatives from the UN. It was jointly organized by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV), the Australian Embassy in Vietnam and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Foundation (KAS).