Vietnam has reached a historic milestone in international legal affairs after Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh was elected as a judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the 2026-2035 term.

Elected during the Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on June 18, Nguyen Thi Lan Anh received one of the highest vote totals among all candidates. She is the first Vietnamese legal expert ever elected to serve as a judge of ITLOS, one of the world's most important international judicial bodies dealing with maritime law.

Established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, ITLOS plays a central role in the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes and in promoting the consistent interpretation and application of UNCLOS.

As issues related to oceans and maritime governance become increasingly intertwined with peace, security and sustainable development, the importance of international judicial mechanisms such as ITLOS continues to grow.

Speaking after the election, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung said the strong support received by Nguyen Thi Lan Anh reflected the confidence of UNCLOS member states and the broader international community in Vietnam's willingness and ability to contribute to international legal institutions.

According to the minister, the result also demonstrates the effectiveness of Vietnam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, together with its commitment to multilateralism, international integration and respect for international law, the United Nations Charter and UNCLOS.

The successful campaign was supported by senior Party and State leaders, along with ministries, government agencies and Vietnamese diplomatic missions abroad.

International recognition of Vietnamese expertise

The strong backing for Vietnam's candidate also reflects international recognition of the country's growing capabilities in international law, particularly maritime law, as well as the professional expertise, experience and personal reputation of Nguyen Thi Lan Anh.

Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung noted that Vietnam has evolved from being a country focused primarily on international integration and compliance with international law into one that is increasingly participating in discussions shaping the development of international legal principles and norms.

The election of Vietnam's first ITLOS judge is therefore the result of years of international cooperation, expert training and active participation in multilateral diplomacy. It represents a new stage in Vietnam's legal integration into the international community and highlights the country's growing credibility, expertise and influence.

As a coastal nation, Vietnam has vital interests tied to peace, stability, security, safety of navigation and sustainable development at sea. The country will continue working with other nations to promote full implementation of UNCLOS, often described as the "Constitution of the Oceans," while encouraging peaceful dispute resolution, maritime cooperation, environmental protection and the sustainable use of ocean resources.

A source of national pride

According to the foreign minister, the election also serves as a practical step in implementing the foreign policy priorities outlined at the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. It is expected to provide additional momentum for more proactive, substantive and effective diplomatic engagement in the years ahead.

As an ITLOS judge, Nguyen Thi Lan Anh will perform her duties independently and impartially in accordance with the tribunal's statute and the provisions of UNCLOS. Vietnamese leaders have expressed confidence that her professionalism, expertise and experience will enable her to contribute meaningfully to the tribunal's work and to the broader development of international law.

The achievement is also expected to inspire a new generation of Vietnamese legal scholars and experts to participate more actively in international institutions and global governance mechanisms.

"We will continue investing in the development of officials and experts with strong professional qualifications, international experience and the ability to work effectively in global environments," Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung said.

The election of Vietnam's first judge to ITLOS is widely seen as more than an individual accomplishment. It represents a significant diplomatic milestone and a reflection of Vietnam's expanding role, credibility and capacity to contribute to regional and global affairs.

About ITLOS

The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea was established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and began operations in 1996. Headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, the tribunal resolves disputes concerning the interpretation and application of the convention through judicial means.

Over the years, ITLOS has played an important role in international law, including helping resolve maritime boundary disputes and issuing advisory opinions on states' legal responsibilities regarding climate change.

The tribunal is composed of 21 judges elected by UNCLOS member states, with seats distributed among different geographic regions. At the 36th Meeting of States Parties, seven judges were elected for the 2026-2035 term. The newly elected judges come from Vietnam, Ghana, Tunisia, India, Brazil, Russia and the Netherlands, and will begin their terms in October.

UNCLOS entered into force in 1994 and currently has 172 members, including 171 states and the European Union. Vietnam ratified the convention in 1994.

Tran Thuong