The second ARF workshop on enacting the 1982 UNCLOS

The event which opened in Hanoi on Wednesday was co-organised by Vietnam, Canada, and the EU. It was a follow-up event of the previous ARF workshop held in Nha Trang in February this year  and other ARF forums on UNCLOS in 2011 and 2014.

Le Thi Tuyet Mai, Director of the Department of Law and International Treaty under Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: “Our  2-day workshop will focus discussions on measures to increase the efficiency of implementing the UNCLOS and related international legal documents in addressing maritime challenges, share experience and new realities in law enforcement at sea, and put forth recommendations to further reinforce cooperation among nations.”

Le Thi Tuyet Mai, Director of the Department of Law and International Treaty, addresses the opening ceremony.

Addressing the opening ceremony, both Canadian Ambassador Deborah Paul and EU Ambassador to Vietnam Giorgo Aliberti underlined the importance of the 1982 UNCLOS in managing activities of coastal countries over the past 25 years.

The document is a comprehensive legal framework to regulate the legitimate rights and interests of countries and to settle disputes and boost maritime cooperation between nations.

Established in 1994, the ARF is a multilateral forum between the 10 ASEAN member nations and their partners to build trust and increase dialogues in the region with ASEAN playing the central role.

The forum now has a total of 27 members and international organizations. Vietnam is one of founding members of the forum.