Experts shared experience in marine spatial planning and ocean governance at the second annual conference of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) in the Asia-Pacific, which opened in Hanoi on February 18.

In his remarks, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Quy Kien said that as a coastal country, Vietnam has made use of the integrated, ecosystem-based method in sea and island management.

He cited the country’s relevant policies and laws such as the 2012 Maritime Law, the 2015 Law on Sea and Island Natural Resources and Environment, the 2014 Environmental Protection Law, the 2017 Planning Law, and Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW on the strategy for sustainable development of Vietnam’s marine economy to 2030 with a vision towards 2045 adopted at the eighth plenum of the 12th Party Central Committee on October 22, 2018.

These documents are essential to sea and island management in Vietnam, creating a foundation for the successful implementation of the sustainable development policy for Vietnam’s marine economy until 2030 with a vision towards 2045, the official said. 

As a responsible member of the IOC, Vietnam has been actively realising the commission’s initiatives for marine spatial planning through various activities, he noted.

Kien emphasised the need for Vietnam to learn from experience of foreign countries, especially those in the Asia-Pacific, in marine spatial planning and ocean governance with an integrated, ecosystem-based approach.

The conference will go on until February 22.

VNA