The 5th ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF) kicked off in the central city of Da Nang on August 27th, with representatives from all 10 ASEAN member countries.
ASEAN's representatives at the opening ceremony.

The two-day event aims to increase solidarity within ASEAN and promote the association’s central role in maritime cooperation and trust-building in the region through negotiations and consultations, particularly in regards to ensuring maritime security and safety in the East Sea in accordance with international law, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.
In acting as a host for the 5th AMF and the 3rd Expanded AMF, Vietnam is taking responsibility for and contributing to ASEAN’s key priorities of promoting maritime cooperation and safeguarding maritime security and safety throughout the region.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Nguyen Vu Tu, deputy head of the Vietnamese delegation to high-level meetings at the AMF-5, said that maritime cooperation has gained in significance and is now a priority for ASEAN member countries and their cooperation partners.

The event will improve the coordination of humanitarian relief and disaster responses, and will also discuss how to manage and protect marine eco-systems, biodiversity and aquatic resources, and boost cooperation regarding the member states’ respective fishery sectors.

Source: VNA