A Vietnamese delegation led by Ambassador Vuong Thua Phong, head of the Vietnamese mission to the EU, took part in the 4th International Our Ocean 2017 Conference in Malta on October 5-6.

This year’s event brought together delegates from more than 100 countries and international organisations, including over 40 high-ranking leaders.

The conference discussed measures to prevent marine pollution, expand protected sea areas, consolidate marine security, promote blue economy and sustainable fishing, and strengthen efforts to deal with climate change in line with the Paris Agreement on climate change and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Participants highlighted the importance of oceans and raised concerns over the marine environment pollution, degradation of marine ecology and coastal areas, and exhaustion of marine resources as well as their serious impacts on the human lives and sustainable development.

At the event, the EU announced an aid package worth 550 million EUR (642 million USD) for 36 programmes for safer and cleaner maritime zones.

The US also pledged to provide 9.1 billion USD for waste recycling projects in Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam within four years.

On the sidelines of the conference, the Vietnamese delegation had meetings with leaders of the EU and other delegations, briefing them on the country’s sustainable development policies as well as its efforts to step up international cooperation in implementing EU recommendations on illegal fishing prevention, and enhancing the conservation and promotion of sea and ocean resources, contributing to ensuring maritime safety and freedom in the East Sea.

The first International Our Ocean Conference was held in the US in 2014 under the initiative of then US Secretary of State John Kerry. The fifth event will take place in Indonesia in 2018.

VNA