Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (Photo: VNA)

Mr. Phuc said Vietnam aims to become a marine-capable country. By 2020, the marine and coastal economic sectors are targeted to account for 55 percent of Vietnam’s GDP and 60 percent of gross export. Institutions, policies, legal framework and planning for the sea and islands have been improved. The Sea Law, Marine Resources and Environment Law and relevant regulations are being effectively implemented. Vietnam has been consistently implementing policies pertaining to the research and development and application of marine science and technologies. Marine infrastructure is being modernized to support the marine economy such as coastal roads and the port network. Vietnam considers the protection of the marine environment and ecology an extremely important, regular and long-term mission. Developing the marine economy concurrently with the protection of the marine environment is Vietnam's consistent position in its marine strategy. Vietnam will step up international cooperation and integration, thus making active and responsible contribution to the reinforcement of peace and stability in the seas.

Regarding Vietnam’s innitiatives at the G7 Summit, PM Phuc said the agenda of this year's G7 Leaders’ Outreach Session prioritizes discussion on the ocean. This is a matter of existential importance to the survival and development of coastal countries and the planet at large. At this Summit, Vietnam has provided concrete and responsible inputs to the discussions of many important agenda items. Vietnam welcomes Canada and G7 countries’ initiatives to promote cooperation to prevent marine litter, advance gender equality and facilitate women's access to basic resources and services for climate change response. Vietnam has suggested that the international community should discuss the possibility of a Global Agreement on the Prevention of Plastic Litter in the Ocean, akin to the Paris Agreement on climate change. Vietnam also calls upon the G7 countries to consider establishing an Expanded Cooperation Forum between G7 countries and coastal countries on climate change and rising sea level response and marine environment and ecosystem protection. Such initiatives stem from the urgent need of the international community for the promotion of concrete and effective cooperation in climate change response and marine environment protection, and thus were welcomed and highly regarded by many countries at the Summit.

Mr. Phuc affirmed that Vietnam stands ready to promote cooperation with all countries and partners in implementing the above-mentioned initiatives through concrete and practical programs and projects.