Hanoi – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, in collaboration with the embassies of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the European Union, organized the 5th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Workshop on Implementing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other international instruments. The workshop, which took place in Hanoi on November 9, focused on addressing emerging maritime issues in the region.
According to Vietnam News Agency, the event was conducted in a hybrid format and drew approximately 150 delegates. These included representatives from 27 ARF member countries, international and regional organizations, diplomatic agencies, research institutes, as well as noted experts and scholars. Various ministries and branches also participated in the discussions.
During the workshop, participants engaged in discussions about cooperative approaches to resolve challenges in marine management in the region. These discussions were grounded in the application and implementation of the 1982 UNCLOS and other relevant international legal documents.
Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet, in his opening remarks, emphasized the critical importance of UNCLOS 1982 – often regarded as the “constitution of the seas and oceans.” He highlighted the growing number of challenges faced by the world and the region, including territorial disputes, strategic competition, and environmental issues like climate change, sea-level rise, and unsustainable marine exploitation. These challenges pose significant risks to the East Sea, a region of strategic and economic importance, and threaten regional peace, security, and maritime safety.
Viet underscored that UNCLOS continues to play an indispensable role in resolving maritime issues and disputes, serving as a robust foundation for further developing international legal frameworks to address new challenges. He asserted that cooperation and full respect for and implementation of UNCLOS are more vital than ever for finding solutions to regional maritime problems.
The workshop’s co-chairs, Canadian Ambassador Shawn Steil, Australian Deputy Ambassador Mark Tattersall, New Zealand Ambassador Tredene Dobson, and Deputy Head of the EU Delegation, all echoed the significance of UNCLOS. The discussions at the workshop also covered the regulatory scope of UNCLOS 1982, conventional challenges, and emerging issues in its implementation.
The workshop represents a significant effort in fostering international collaboration and dialogue on maritime law and challenges, reinforcing the importance of UNCLOS in the contemporary geopolitical landscape.