Vietnam's permanent missions to the United Nations (UN) in New York and Geneva have recently sent diplomatic notes to the UN and countries informing the candidacy of Ambassador Nguyen Hong Thao to the International Law Commission (ILC) for the 2023-2027 tenure, marking the official start of the Vietnamese candidate's campaign for re-election to the UN’s important law organ.
Vietnam is concerned about cases of using or threatening to use force in international relations, which go against the UN Charter and harm international peace and security, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, has said.
Vietnam demands that relevant countries respect its sovereignty, sovereign right and jurisdiction in the East Sea, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said on January 29. Hang made the request in response to reporters’ query regarding the adoption of the Coast Guard Law by the Chinese National People’s Congress Standing Committee on January 22.
Vietnamese Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy on December 18 highlighted the country’s support for stronger cooperation between the UN Security Council (UNSC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to promote the rule of law and help maintain global peace and security.
The plenary and closing session of the 30th meeting of state parties to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) took place at the UN headquarters in New York on December 9 with the participation of nearly 120 member states.
Representatives from the 10 current non-permanent members (E10) and the five newly-elected non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) met on November 25 to share experience in UNSC activities.
The disputes in the East Sea (South China Sea) need to be resolved by the concerned parties, with cooperation of the international community as well as the region, said a Vietnamese expert.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has a significant role to play in maintaining peace and international security through mechanisms to handle lawsuits between countries and to provide legal counselling, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of Vietnam’s mission to the UN, has affirmed.
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the weak points and vulnerability of the international community as well as loopholes in the global legal systems, which must be addressed so as to increase resilience and enhance capacity to cope with future pandemics and challenges, said Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of Vietnamese mission to the UN.
The 37th ASEAN Summit is expected to take place in mid-November, and as ASEAN Chair this year, Vietnam is joining other member countries to actively prepare for this important event, according to Spokeswoman of the Foreign Ministry Le Thi Thu Hang.
Vietnam welcomes the stance held by other countries on the East Sea issue that conforms with international law, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said in response to a question from a reporter about Vietnam’s view of a joint note sent by the UK, France, and Germany to the UN on September 16.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on August 28 called on parties involved in the East Sea issue to pursue the peaceful settlement of conflicts based on international law.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has reiterated US support for Southeast Asian states upholding their sovereign rights and interests in the East Sea under international law.
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi discussed bilateral defence ties and regional tensions over China’s claim that it owns most of the South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnam), the US Department of State said in a readout of the conversation on August 3.
China’s maritime claims are not valid under international law, according to the Joint Statement on Australia-US Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) 2020 released on July 28.
Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang highlighted Vietnam’s viewpoint that all countries have the common obligation and interest in respecting fundamental principles of international law while addressing the ministry’s press conference on July 16.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has coped with COVID-19 quite well with Vietnam serving as the ASEAN Chair 2020, heard an online seminar held by the Centre for International Law (CIL) under the National University of Singapore on May 20.
Amid the current regional and international context, Vietnam urges parties to not take any action to further complicate the situation in the East Sea, said Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang.
Foreign experts have condemned China’s recent actions in the East Sea, saying its moves have escalated tensions in the region and infringed upon international law.
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