Vietnam to chair UN meeting on Law of the Sea
The meeting plays a vital role in reviewing UNCLOS implementation, tackling maritime challenges, and enhancing global ocean governance.
The Hanoi Times -- Vietnam has been nominated to chair the 35th Meeting of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which is scheduled for June 23-27 at the UN Headquarters in New York.
Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu (central) at a UNCLOS meeting. Photo: VNA
The nomination was made by the Asia-Pacific Group at the United Nations (UN) during its meeting last weekend, which was attended by Vietnam's Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu.
The chairmanship will be the first for Vietnam since the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) entered into force in 1994.
The UNCLOS was adopted on December 10, 1982, and in force since November 16, 1994 with 170 members. The UN Secretary-General convenes an annual conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It serves as an important forum for reviewing the implementation of UNCLOS, addressing maritime challenges and strengthening global ocean governance.
As a chair, Vietnam will reaffirm its commitment as a responsible UNCLOS member and contribute to global ocean governance. It demonstrates the international community's trust and recognition of Vietnam's leadership in promoting the universal principles of UNCLOS, as well as its contributions to the United Nations' common initiatives.
Vietnam has been involved in UNCLOS-related activities, including as a member of the Legal and Technical Commission of the Council of the International Seabed Authority. It has also played a key role in negotiations and was among the first to sign the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, the latest international document on the implementation of the Convention. In addition, it has nominated experts to key UNCLOS bodies, including a candidate for judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the 2026-2035 term.
At the UN, Vietnam also co-founded the Group of Friends of UNCLOS, with over 100 member countries from all regions, to promote the universality of the Convention and strengthen its effective implementation.
At the 34th Meeting of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, held in New York from June 10 to 14, 2024, a representative of Vietnam was elected Vice President of the meeting.
