United Nations Ocean Conference (Photo: VNA)Addressing the UN Conference to Support the Implementationof Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14): Conserve, sustainably use theoceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, Deputy ForeignMinister Pham Quang Hieu emphasised the need to fully and effectively implementthe UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) - a comprehensive legal frameworkfor all activities at sea and a prerequisite for ensuring peace, security andprosperity, as well as the effective implementation of SDG14.
Vietnam supports negotiations to build new legal frameworksin line with the UNCLOS, including a document on biodiversity of areas outsidenational jurisdiction and a global agreement on ocean plastic waste, Hieu said,highlighting the nation’s efforts over the past time in joining hands with theinternational community to deal with marine issues.
Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative ofVietnam to the UN, said that in recent years, Vietnam has made efforts to carryout the SDG14, including the implementation of the strategy on the sustainabledevelopment of Vietnam's marine economy to 2030.
To respond to marine challenges, it is necessary to promotethe implementation of international conventions, take advantage of scientificand technological developments, and conduct new research.
The Vietnamese delegation also called for strengtheninginternational cooperation, technology transfer and expertise sharing,especially for developing countries, and enhancing the scientific content inmarine policy planning and implementation.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made four proposals tohelp tackle the current ocean emergency, including investing in sustainableeconomy, using the ocean as a model for managing global issues, protecting theoceans and those depending on them, and investing in early warning systems toprotect coastal communities.
Countries affirmed that the oceans play an important role inpeace, security, health, environment and sustainable development, as well asthe prosperity of nations.
As current cross-border challenges cannot be solved by asingle country and are exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, theycalled for promoting international cooperation, marine scientific research andbuilding a sustainable blue economy to mitigate and address these challenges.
The UN conference attracts the participation of nearly 20heads of state, nearly 100 foreign, environment and natural resourcesministers, and thousands of representatives from countries, internationalorganisations, and related parties./.
VNA
