Vietnam praised for efforts in enforcement of 1982 UNCLOS

Established on August 1, 1996, the Hamburg-based ITLOS has jurisdiction over any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of the UNCLOS. (Photo: VNA)

Berlin (VNA) – Judge Albert Hoffmann, Presidentof the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), has lauded Vietnam’sefforts in enforcing the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), during a recent working session with Vietnamese Ambassador to GermanyVu Quang Minh.

At the working session at the ITLOS headquarters in Hamburg on April 24, the judgehighlighted the Southeast Asian nation’s endeavours in perfecting relevantpolicies and laws, including the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection and theNational Strategy on Climate Change by 2050.

Vietnam has actively delimitated overlapping territorial watersand exclusive economic zone with its neighbouring countries, most recently thedelimitation of its exclusive economic zone with Indonesia, and has effectivelycontributed to the building and negotiation of a Code of Conduct in the EastSea (COC) between ASEAN and China, he said.

At the same time, Vietnam has joined the core group to draft a resolution seeking advice from the International Court of Justice (IJC)on climate change, which was approved by the UN General Assembly last March, Hoffmanncontinued.

He also spoke highly of Vietnam’s personnelpreparations for seats at relevant international organisations, including the ITLOS,affirming that the Tribunal stands ready to help Vietnam and other membercountries raise their capacity to enforce the UNCLOS.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Vu Quang Minh (Photo: VNA)

For his part, Minh thanked Hoffmann, who has always backed efforts in enhancing cooperation between the ITLOS and Vietnam, for hisattendance at workshops and training programmes on international law and theUNCLOS organised by Vietnam.

The diplomat highly valued the Tribunal’s role andactivities in addressing maritime disputes, as well as in the interpretation andapplication of the UNCLOS, contributing to promoting peace, ensuring maritime securityand the respect for law, and building and consolidating international law.

Minh also emphasised significant contributions of theTribunal and its judges in building capacity for member countries, includingthose in Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific, in maritime law research andenforcement.

The ambassador noted his hope for strongercooperation between Vietnam and the ITLOS, covering the training of internationallaw experts for the country at all levels, enabling it to make morecontributions to the Tribunal’s affairs and international law enforcementefforts.

Established on August 1, 1996, the Hamburg-based ITLOS hasjurisdiction over any dispute concerning the interpretation or application ofthe UNCLOS, and over all matters specifically provided for in any otheragreement which confers jurisdiction on the Tribunal./.

VNA