Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Dinh Quy delivered a speech on the third day of the UN Ocean Conference in New York on June 7, stressing that the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is a legal basis for the realisation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Dinh Quy

He said Vietnam highly commends the Conference’s draft "Call for Action" and fully shares the view that the implementation of Goal 14, which is to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources, requires strong partnership and cooperation among and between governments, enterprises, international and regional organisations as well as all other stakeholders.

Quy noted the legal basis for this partnership and activities should be the universally recognised interpretation and application of international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS. 

“Since there exist numerous areas of disputed water in the world, the compliance to and the implementation of duties under UNCLOS would ensure maritime security and safety, and create a peaceful marine environment as cooperation and partnership would not be possible without peace and stability,” he added.

To successfully implement the "Call for Action", Quy highlighted the importance of 

raising the awareness in the society, especially local communities, of the need for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, sea, and marine resources.

It is necessary to promote cooperative mechanisms at international, regional and sub-regional levels, especially in disputed waters, to maintain peace, stability, and development. 

Meanwhile, developed countries should be encouraged to enhance capacity building, transfer of modern marine technology to developing and least-developed countries, thus helping strengthen their ocean-based sustainable economies, resilience to climate change and contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and seas, Quy said.

According to the Deputy Minister, Vietnam has integrated the SGDs into its national development plans and strategies. It has enacted the National Action Plan to implement SDGs of the 2030 Agenda, including Goal 14. 

Within the framework of this conference, the country has committed to implement the project “Development of Locally Managed Areas for Restoration and Sustainable Use of Coastal Eco-systems with Involvement of Local Stakeholders.” It will continue to register other voluntary commitments to implement Goal 14, Quy added.

The UN Ocean Conference from June 5-9 is set to approve a statement on the formation of the “Call for Action” that supports the implementation of Goal 14. A list of voluntary commitments to achieve Goal 14 will also be announced at the event.

VNA