Vietnam suggests early finalisation of code of conduct on seabed mining
New York (VNA) – Chargé d'Affaires of Vietnam to the United Nations Ambassador Pham Hai Anh suggested
the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly prioritise early finalising a code of conduct on seabed mining while attending the 26th session of the ISA Assembly held both online and offline in
Jamaica from November 13-15.
In his speech from New York, Anh
said the code of conduct must be in line with the principle of considering
seabed and its mineral resources as a common heritage of the humankind, ensure
fair and equal sharing of benefits, comply with the 1982 United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)’s terms regarding environmental
protection, and pay attention to interests and demands of developing
nations.
The Vietnamese representative proposed the ISA soon resume activities to
support developing countries, improve their capacity and share technologies with them.
Anh also reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to
upholding the UNCLOS’s role as a comprehensive international legal tool to
adjust activities at seas and oceans, including the exploration and exploitation
of mineral resources and environment protection at seabed.
At the event, the ISA Assembly elected
members of its Finance Committee, and discussed the implementation of the ISA’s
Action Plan for the Decade of Ocean
Sciences for Sustainable Development./.