Illustrative image (Source: VNA) The forums drew representatives from ASEAN member countriesand partners, as well as prestigious experts and scholars in the region and theworld.
At the AMF, ASEAN member countries highlighted the role ofthe AMF, especially in enhancing the efficiency of coordination and cooperationamong 12 ASEAN specialised agencies on sea cooperation.
They welcomed the ASEAN Leaders' Declaration on the Blue Economy adopted during the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits in November this year, heading to a common perspectiveon blue economic collaboration and defining potential cooperation areas amongASEAN member countries and between the groupings and partners.
On the occasion, as the co-chair of the ARF’s inter-sessionalmeeting on maritime security for the 2018-2021 period, Vietnam reviewedoutcomes of cooperation in the field and the progress of the ARF Work Plan onMaritime Security, and shared expectations on maritime security collaborationand prioritised areas in the time to come.
At the EAMF, participants focused on maintaining peace and upholdingthe law-based regional order to reinforce international law, including the UNConvention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, promoting the growth of bluesea economy and the protection of sea environment. They highlighted theimportant role of the UNCLOS 1982 as the legal framework for all activities atseas and oceans, while calling for stronger cooperation in protecting andpreserving sea environment.
Participants showed concern about current challenges such asthe degradation of sea environment, piracy, terrorism, smuggling, humantrafficking and natural disaster, and at the same time underlined the significance of sea transportconnections and the ensuring of supply chain in the region and the world.
They stressed the importance of maintaining peace,stability, maritime and aviation security, safety and freedom in the East Sea, which they consider the shared interest of countries, while underlining the needto abide by the UNCLOS 1982, calling for restraint so as to not complicate thesituation, and the settlement of disputes on the foundation of internationallaw, including the UNCLOS 1982. They supported the full and effectiveimplementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea(DOC) and the building of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea that complies to international law, including the UNCLOS 1982. They noted that 2022 is animportant milestone as the year marks the 40th anniversary of the UNCLOS 1982 and 20th anniversary of the DOC.
Addressing the AMF and EAMD, Vu Ho, Director of the ASEAN Department under the Ministry ofForeign Affairs of Vietnam highly valued the role of the forums in promotingsea cooperation inside the ASEAN and between the association and partners. Heunderlined the significance of maintaining the central role of the ASEAN in theregion as well as in sea cooperation, and called on partners to continuesupporting the ASEAN in a transparent and trustful spirit and enhance cooperation with the grouping through ASEAN-led mechanisms.
The Vietnamese representative stressed the urgent need ofmaintaining and protecting the sea environment, suggesting that it should beconsidered a regular topic of sea-related discussions in the region in the timeto come.
Amid the complicated developments in the East Sea, Vietnam reiterated its principled stance and highlightedthe benefit and responsibility of countries in making the East Sea a sea ofpeace, cooperation and stability./.
VNA
