Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (Photo: VNA) New York (VNA) – Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative ofVietnam to the United Nations, chaired an ambassadorial-level meeting of the 12 foundingcountries of the Group of Friends on the 1982 United Nations Convention on theLaw of the Sea (UNCLOS) in New York on May 31 to review their past activities andlaunch future tasks.
Ambassadorsshared the view that despite various challenges such as COVID-19 pandemic andemerging global issues, the UNCLOS Group of Friends, with its 115 memberstates, has maintained regular activities and diversified forms of exchangessince its establishment.
Specifically,the group has held various dialogues and discussions on topics related to the UNCLOS1982, shared understanding and practical experience in ocean governance, raisedpublic awareness of the UNCLOS 1982 adherence, promoted the use of oceans for peaceful and sustainable purposes, and coordinated efforts to elevate its roleand contributions in the UN forums. Its efforts and activities have been highlywelcomed by friends and the UN.
On the occasion,they debated the group's future orientations as important events on maritimeand ocean issues at the UN are to be held, such as the Meeting of StatesParties to UNCLOS 1982 (SPLOS 33) and the adoption of the Agreement on the Conservationof Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).
The diplomatsvowed that the Group will continue actively upholding its role, diversifying itsoperating methods and persistently pursue its objectives, particularly in thecontext of advancing multilateralism and international cooperation, which arebecoming increasingly essential.
Delegates at the event (Photo: VNA)
Initiated byVietnam and Germany in 2020, the UNCLOS Group of Friends is an informalexchange and coordination mechanism among countries, particularly at the UN,aimed at collaborating on areas of shared interest.
Its foundingmembers include Argentina, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Jamaica, Kenya, theNetherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Senegal, South Africa and Vietnam. To date, theGroup has 115 member states representing all geographic regions./.
