International Conference on East Sea in Da Nang calls for shared responsibility and cooperation
DNO - Vietnam has been steadfast in foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation, friendship and development.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affair Nguyen Manh Cuong made the statement at the 17th International Conference on East Sea which opened in Da Nang on Monday.
Organized by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, the conference had “Unity in Uncertainties” as its theme.
It brought together nearly 50 speakers, including politicians and leading experts at both home and abroad, along with numerous scholars, officials, diplomats, and business representatives from around the world both in person and online.
Key discussions at the conference focused on assessing the recent situation in the East Sea and the region, the involvement and policy adjustments of relevant parties and major countries, the rapid development of emerging technologies, and the growing politicization of maritime technology.
It, therefore, aimed to identify measures to manage tensions, enhance maritime cooperation as well as promote shared responsibility for a peaceful, cooperative and developed East Sea.
The message “Unity in uncertainties” was a powerful call for collective action in upholding common values such as respecting international law, ensuring freedom of navigation, resolving disputes by peaceful means, protecting the marine environment, and promoting sustainable development in the region.
In his opening speech, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong emphasized that the theme of the conference not only honestly reflected today’s international practice, but also represented the aspirations of the times.
He underscored that peace and stability in the East Sea were not the interests of just a few coastal states but fundamental conditions for the prosperity of the entire East Asia, Indian Ocean and Pacific Rim.
Deputy Minister Cuong stated that Vietnam attached great importance to maintaining peace and stability in the region, promoting the role of international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) which is the fundamental legal framework governing all activities at sea.
Vietnam committed to resolving all disputes through peaceful means, building trust, managing differences responsibly and cooperating with all partners to ensure that the seas and oceans remain zones for peace, stability and prosperity.
Vietnam is proud to be one of the first 60 countries to ratify the Agreement on Biodiversity Protection Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), affirming its commitment to international law and multilateralism.
Vietnam continues to support ASEAN's central role and actively contributes to ASEAN-led processes. With a constructive spirit, Vietnam participates in ongoing negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), aiming to ensure peace, stability and governance based on common rules and norms in the East Sea.
The country has also nominated candidates and sent experts to international judicial bodies, including the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), promoting the fair and progressive interpretation of UNCLOS.
According to the Deputy Minister Cuong, over the past 17 years, the International Conference on the East Sea has become a forum for open, frank and constructive dialogue where diverse perspectives are heard and respected, and where scholars, experts, and policymakers work together to find common ground.
He noted that the greatest value of the conference laid not only in its substantive recommendations but also in the culture of dialogue and the spirit of sincerity and respect that have helped the region maintain stability and cooperation.