Quang Ninh (VNA) – The 16th international conference on the East Sea opened in Ha Long city of northeastern Quang Ninh province on October 23, seeking ways to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the East Sea.
The event, organised by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV), drew the participation of nearly 50 prestigious experts from 23 countries and international organisations, 100 delegates from foreign representative offices in Vietnam and 22 ambassadors. The two-day conference features seven sessions with diverse topics.
Dr. Pham Lan Dung, Acting President of the DAV, said that as the East Sea has been a geopolitical hotspot with territorial disputes, differences in maritime claims, and increasing militarisation activities, relevant parties must stay steadfast in their efforts to pursue peace and diplomacy.
In his remarks, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet spoke highly of the conference's theme of “Navigating Narratives, Nurturing Norms”. He affirmed that amidst fierce competition among powers, adherence to widely recognised principles and standards is a basis to ensure international peace and stability as well as a common framework for countries to peacefully resolve disputes.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the entry into force of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and is an opportunity to affirm the significance of the convention that established a comprehensive international legal framework for all activities on the seas and oceans, he said.
Vietnam’s candidacy to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the 2026-2035 tenure, he said, reaffirms the country’s willingness to contribute to the ITLOS’s activities as well as its commitments to the UNCLOS and UN Charter and international law in general.
According to Viet, the freshly-signed Pact for the Future of the UN demonstrates the global resolve in handling humanity’s challenges through multilateral cooperation. ASEAN should be trusted with the bridging role as the bloc’s principles of openness, inclusivity, transparency, and respect for international law will be able connect all parties involved.
The Young Leaders Programme is set to be held on the sidelines of the conference, providing a platform for next generations of leaders to engage in the study of the East Sea issues./.
