It is also known as the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction. The event was jointly organized by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV), the Foundation for East Sea Studies (FESS), the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam.
Attendees, including international delegates from 10 countries, foreign missions' representatives, researchers, and academics, discussed ways to translate commitments made under the treaty into mechanisms and actions at the national, regional and global levels.
"Our main task now is to make the agreement work. And in this regard, for Vietnam, these are very real issues. Resolution 20 of the Party's Central Committee adopted in July this year set the goal of building Vietnam into a strong maritime nation. This vision is closely linked with the objectives of the BBNJ Agreement. Vietnam remains committed to upholding international laws, including UNCLOS and contributing constructively to the implementation of the agreement," DAV's Vice President Nguyen Thi Lan Anh said in her opening remarks.
Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Gillian Bird, said, "Today's ocean dialogue provides an important opportunity to exchange perspectives, share experience, strengthen regional cooperation, and promote the rules and norms that underpin equitable and effective ocean governance. By working together, and upholding international laws, we can help ensure that the benefits of a healthy, secure, and sustainable ocean are preserved for future generations."
Australia is ready to ratify the treaty and will participate in the first Conference of the Parties (COP1) to the BBNJ Agreement in January next year as a member state, Ambassador Bird added.
Lewe Paul, KAS Resident Representative to Vietnam, said he considers the Ocean Dialogue a valuable platform for connecting policy making, science, and the implementations of international commitments.
Over 15 editions, the Ocean Dialogue has remained a forum for policymakers, experts, scientists and international partners to enhance cooperation and find solutions to sustainable ocean governance.
