Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (C) speaks at the panel discussion. Photo: VOV

This was the fifth of the 10 panel discussions within the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3), bringing together about 600 delegates.

In his remarks, Deputy PM Son emphasized that sustainable fisheries are closely linked to the implementation of several other sustainable development goals, yet remain a complex issue with overlapping challenges.

Addressing these challenges requires a scientific approach tailored to the specific conditions of each country, he stressed.

The official briefed the participants on Vietnam’s major policies and initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable fisheries management—striking a balance between securing livelihoods and economic development, while protecting the environment and conserving fish stocks.

The delegates called for stronger cooperation within multilateral frameworks and mechanisms in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), highlighted the vital role of fisheries in ensuring global food security and praised Vietnam as a model for transitioning from capture fishing to aquaculture in Asia.