Int’l seminar on maritime security, development opens

Quang Ninh (VNA) – Seven reports were delivered to an international seminar in the northern province of Quang Ninh which began on June 9, featuring measures to effectively cope with traditional and non-traditional security challenges at sea as well as maritime management mechanisms.

Attending the event were over 180 delegates, including 59 foreign scholars, representatives of diplomatic agencies in Vietnam, and local and foreign reporters.

Participants discussed the recent developments in the East Sea and East China Sea from defence, diplomatic, economic and legal perspectives to seek initiatives to foster cooperation among claimant countries.

During the first session on traditional security challenges at sea, they shared the view that international order, maritime security and safety should be maintained and improved, with respect to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

They called on countries concerned to act responsibly in the spirit of law compliance, making more practical contributions to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

ASEAN plays an important role in shaping the security architecture in the region, serves as a significant forum where the East Sea issue is discussed and mechanisms to manage sea-related disputes are built, they said.

The seminar stressed the need to skip sovereignty disputes, to focus on managing crises and promoting practical collaboration to build trust, towards the swift formulation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

A majority of opinions proposed promoting mutually-beneficial maritime cooperation in line with international law, particularly the sustainable management and protection of fish stocks and marine biodiversity.

The second session analysed serious non-traditional security challenges faced by the region, including illegal fishing, human trafficking, piracy and marine environment pollution, which should be countered by information sharing and increased collaboration among countries and enforcement of international conventions.

In the final session, delegates shared experience in sustainable natural resources exploitation and marine environment protection, including the EU’s enforcement of international, regional and national laws.

A highlight during the sessions was the call for a political strong will, trust building measures and respect of principles, and international legal standards to overcome the difference of opinions on sovereignty claims and the gap in response to protect the marine and common living spaces of countries.

The two-day event was co-hosted by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam.-VNA