 Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, head of Vietnam’s permanent mission to the UN (Photo: AP) |
Ms. Nga told the 28th Meeting of States Parties to UNCLOS in New York that Vietnam attaches importance to protecting the marine environment and eco-system, and has been aware of the adverse impacts of disputes on sustainable preservation and use of seas and islands. She said Vietnam always advocates addressing disputes in the East Sea by peaceful measures and in line with international law, including UNCLOS.
Vietnam welcomes joint efforts of concerned parties to build the East Sea into the waters of peace, stability and sustainable development, Nga said, citing the kick-start of negotiations of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
The Ambassador said Vietnam calls on all member states to fully committed to UNCLOS regulations, respect diplomatic and legal processes, promote sustainable use of seas and oceans, ensure security, and aviation and navigation safety and freedom, and avoid unilateral activities, including the militarization of occupied structures that objects to the convention’s targets.
Nga affirmed Vietnam’s persistent support for the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. She informed the meeting of Vietnam’s efforts to combat IUU fishing and promptly complete domestic procedures to become a member of the UN Fish Stocks Agreement (UNFSA) and the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate IUU Fishing (PSMA).