At the plenary session of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Summit (UNOC 3) in Nice (France) on June 9, Politburo member and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh spoke on behalf of ASEAN, sharing Vietnam's viewpoint on the conservation and sustainable use of seas, oceans and marine resources.
The Prime Minister affirmed ASEAN's geographical location as the heart of Asia, a convergence of trade, culture and cooperation flows, in which the East Sea has global strategic significance, associated with the livelihoods, culture and security of hundreds of millions of people.
However, the region is facing serious challenges: climate change, rising sea levels, biodiversity loss, environmental pollution, over- exploitation and geopolitical tensions.
The Prime Minister outlined four priority orientations for ASEAN: Keeping the ocean a space of peace, cooperation and shared responsibility; promoting global and regional access to marine governance; considering the ocean as a driver for prosperous development; calling for increased global ocean governance based on cooperation, accelerating the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal No. 14.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed ASEAN's promotion of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as a comprehensive legal framework for regulating activities at sea.
The Prime Minister expressed his hope that UNOC 3 will promote the spirit of solidarity and strategic partnership for action for a green ocean.
Speaking on behalf of Vietnam, the Prime Minister emphasized the paradox: Although the seas and oceans account for more than 70% of the Earth's surface, Target 14 on marine conservation has the lowest investment level among the 17 sustainable development goals. The Prime Minister called on the international community to act faster, stronger, more decisively and join hands to protect the ocean.
According to the Prime Minister, it is necessary to have a scientific, comprehensive, all-people and global approach; based on fairness, cooperation, coverage and harmony of interests, with specific policies and actions.
The Prime Minister proposed 6 key orientations: Combining scientific basis with folk experience; promoting science, technology, digital transformation for a sustainable marine economy; mobilizing and effectively using resources; multi-sectoral access in marine governance; strengthening inter-regional connectivity, forming a network of blue marine economic centers; promoting international solidarity and cooperation.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed that Vietnam is a trustworthy and responsible partner, working with all parties to realizeSDG 14 with the spirit of "3 proactiveness": Implementing policies to restore ecosystems and develop the green economy; promoting cooperation, sharing knowledge and technology; proposing and participating in initiatives at all levels.
Vietnam has registered 15 voluntary commitments on marine and ocean governance.
At the end of his speech, the Prime Minister emphasized: "Let's act together, unite, be responsible, proactive and creative so that the ocean will forever be a space of peace, cooperation, development and prosperity for today's and future generations".
