Vietnam raises East Sea issue at UNCLOS member states’ meeting

Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, head of the permanent Vietnam mission to the United Nations, has called on parties concerned to immediately stop actions that change the status quo, destroy marine environment and further complicate the East Sea issue.

The ambassador made the call at the 26^th meeting of States Parties to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) held in New York from June 20-24, attracting 79 out of 168 member states, international organisations and 10 observer countries.

Speaking at the meeting on June 23, Nga affirmed the significance of the UNCLOS in creating a legal framework to adjust member states’ rights and interests in terms of the peaceful, fair, stable and effective use of the sea and the oceans.

Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga

She hailed the Resolutions on the Law on the Sea and Oceans, and sustainable fishing adopted by the UN General Assembly last year, as well as the working outcomes of the Preparatory Committee on marine biological diversity beyond national jurisdiction.

Nga also expressed concern over the recent complicated developments in the East Sea, particularly large-scale construction and upgrade that changes the nature of several structures in the East Sea, as well as militarised actions that erode trust, exacerbate tension and seriously impact peace, stability and security in the region.

Disputes in the East Sea must be resolved by peaceful means in line with international law, including the UNCLOS, she said, adding that parties concerned need to fully and effectively realise the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and work towards a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

During discussions, the Vietnamese delegation spoke highly of the operations of agencies established under the UNCLOS and lauded the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea for its rulings and suggestions last year, contributing to the explanation and application of the UNCLOS terms.

It also welcomed the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS)’s efforts to examine member countries’ reports last year, and underscored the need to amend CLCS’s operation rules to make it possible to offer recommendations to rejected reports, including those made by Vietnam, in accordance with the UNCLOS.

Source: VNA