Washington D.C (VNA) – Vietnam underlined the importance of upholding international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to ensure peace and stability in the region, at the 15th annual East Sea conference hosted by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington on June 17.
The hybrid event gathered former US officials, international experts, scholars and diplomats, including representatives from Vietnam, the US, Canada, Poland, Australia, India, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
The Vietnamese delegation was led by Nguyen Thi Lan Huong, Director of the Centre for International Law under the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, who presented recent legal developments, notably Vietnam's July 2024 submission of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.
Huong underscored the importance of upholding international law, highlighting the East Sea not only as a critical test of global legal mechanisms but also as a frontline in defending the rules-based international order. She noted that developments in the region have far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the globe.
The Vietnamese representative also emphasised the shared responsibility of relevant parties to build trust, enhance cooperation, and jointly manage the risks of conflict, thus safeguarding long-term peace and stability in the East Sea.
Admiral Stephen Koehler, Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, addressed the conference virtually, highlighting the East Sea’s strategic significance as a key maritime route and a regional stability indicator.
Participants shared the view that the application and interpretation of international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS, must be comprehensive and accurate.
The conference was supported by the embassies of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the Philippines, alongside the Foundation for Environmental Security and Sustainability./.
VNA
