As a signatory of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and a country with a long coastline, Viet Nam consistently adheres to international law and supports the strengthening of international cooperation to build a strong maritime nation and and promote sustainable economic development, said Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu. 

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu speaks at the workshop. (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

He made the remarks at a regional workshop on the role of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in the settlement of disputes related to the law of the sea, jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ITLOS in Ha Noi on May 5.

The two-day workshop gathered representatives from the ITLOS, as well as more than 70 delegates, including legal experts from 15 Asian countries, Vietnamese officials in charge of marine affairs from various ministries and central agencies, and representatives of foreign diplomatic missions in Ha Noi. The event features three sessions focusing on topics such as dispute settlement procedures and jurisdiction under the UNCLOS in general and the ITLOS in particular, notable legal precedents, and concludes with a roundtable discussion among participants.

Viet Nam’s commitment to the UNCLOS and ITLOS is demonstrated not only through official statements but also through concrete actions, Vu said, noting that the country actively participates in international forums, enacts legislation aligned with UNCLOS, and supports the universalisation of the convention.

He went on to say that Viet Nam’s nomination of a candidate for the position of ITLOS judge reflects its desire to contribute expertise and play a leadership role in the development of international maritime law. As the world faces increasingly complex maritime challenges from strategic competition to climate change, the roles of UNCLOS and ITLOS are more important than ever. A thorough understanding of the ITLOS’s role and procedures, along with international cooperation in upholding the principles of the UNCLOS, is essential to ensuring that the oceans remain zones of peace, cooperation, and sustainable development, he added.

In his opening address, ITLOS President Tomas Heidar stated that the workshop is part of a series of global events aimed at promoting understanding of the dispute settlement mechanisms under the UNCLOS and highlighting the ITLOS’s vital role in resolving disputes related to the interpretation and application of the Convention.

He emphasised that one of the major achievements of the UNCLOS negotiation process was the establishment of a dispute settlement mechanism to ensure the effective implementation of the convention.

As an independent judicial body at the heart of that mechanism, the ITLOS has earned the trust of member states and has proven to be an effective forum for dispute resolution. To date, the Tribunal has adjudicated 30 cases and issued three advisory opinions on matters related to the law of the sea, Heidar stated.

(Source: VNA)