Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu. Photo: Phuong Hoa/VNA

Vietnam is early signatory of the Treaty, completed the ratification procedures, and deposited the instrument of ratification on June 9, 2025. This demonstrates Vietnam's strong commitment and responsibility to protecting the seas and oceans, and to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity, said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, who is also Chairman of the 35th Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The treaty, once in effect, opens up unprecedented opportunities and scope of cooperation for Vietnam in marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable marine economic development, he added. For Vietnam, the agreement facilitates enhanced international cooperation, access to advanced knowledge, data, and technology, thereby improving its capacity for marine scientific research, management, and protection of the marine environment.

As a signatory to the Treaty, Vietnam will contribute proactively, positively, and responsibly to the effective implementation of the Treaty by participating deeply in mechanisms related to all four pillars. They include equitable access to and sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources; establishment and management of marine protected areas; environmental impact assessment of activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction; and capacity building and marine technology transfer.

Vietnam will also reflect the legitimate voices and interests of countries with limited capacity as well as countries heavily affected by climate change, ensuring compliance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Vietnam will continue to review and improve its legal framework, strengthen inter-sectoral coordination, mobilize the participation of scientists, businesses and the public, ensuring the effective and substantive implementation of the Treaty, serving the practical needs of sustainable marine economic development in Vietnam and globally.

High Seas Treaty provides a framework for the common governance of about half of our planet’s surface and 95% of the ocean’s volume, representing the largest habitat on our planet.