Within the framework of the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3), in Nice (France), Politburo member and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and world leaders attended a special event to encourage and promote the signing of the Agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in waters outside the scope of national sovereignty (Agreement on the Ocean), the most important document on the ocean since the beginning of the century.
The event "Special International treated" solemnly organized by the United Nations aims to promote the Agreement on the Pacific Ocean as well as promote countries to become members of this important document.
The event was attended by 35 countries that have signed or submitted their dossiers of documents approving and approving the agreement during the implementation of UNOC 3.
At the event, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son presented foreign documents to Ms. Elinor Janet Hammarskjöld, Deputy Secretary General and Legal Advisor of the United Nations, announcing the Vietnamese Government's approval of the Agreement on the Ocean.
Vietnam is one of the first countries to sign the treaty on the first day of signing and is among the leading countries in completing internal procedures to become a member of the treaty. This conveys a strong message about Vietnam as an active and responsible member of the international community, joining hands with countries around the world to solve global problems related to the ocean and the ocean.
The participation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation in the meaningful activity related to the Agreement on the Ocean demonstrates the determination and concrete action of the Vietnamese Government in the common efforts of the world community in building a peaceful ocean, prosperity and sustainable development.
At the 3rd UNOC Conference, the international community expressed its hope to soon reach 60 countries that have completed the ratification and approval procedures so that the Agreement on the Ocean can officially take effect this year.
Sea genetic resources in marine areas outside national competence are a new source of potential in the 21st century. The sea area outside national competence accounts for more than 60% of the ocean surface, is particularly rich in biodiversity with many rare genes, has great economic potential and high scientific value, especially in medicine and pharmaceuticals.
Currently, almost only developed countries and private companies that own top marine technology and biotechnology, with abundant funding, are capable of collecting offshore genetic resources and developing profitable applications. Meanwhile, there is no international document regulating the obligation to share benefits as well as preserve these resources.
The Agreement on the Pacific Ocean is a historic milestone in the international community's efforts to protect the marine environment in the context of implementing the 2030 agenda, especially the 14th Sustainable Development Goal on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, sea and marine resources.
This is the third agreement negotiated and signed within the framework of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, reaffirming the role and importance of the Convention as a comprehensive legal framework, regulating all activities at sea and in the ocean, including exploitation, sharing fair benefits and conservation of marine genetic resources in international waters.
120 days after 60 countries submit their ratification or ratification documents, the Agreement will officially take effect.
