Enhancing Regional Coordination in Fisheries Management and Combating IUU Fishing

	Enhanced Surveillance in Binh Thuan to Combat IUU Fishing
	An Giang: Strict Inspections and Penalties for Fishing Violations at Sea

On the morning of October 28, during his working program in Malaysia, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Vietnamese Ambassadors to ASEAN countries sharing maritime borders with Vietnam, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, along with the Ambassador of Vietnam to ASEAN. The meeting focused on assessing the current state of regional cooperation, particularly in fisheries management and the fight against IUU fishing - an issue of growing concern among Vietnam and its neighboring countries.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with Vietnamese Ambassadors to ASEAN countries sharing maritime borders with Vietnam. (Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac)

During the meeting, leaders from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ambassadors reported to the Prime Minister on the outcomes of bilateral cooperation, highlighting positive progress in joint sea patrols, fisheries data sharing, information exchange on IUU violations, and protection of fishermen. ASEAN countries have highly valued Vietnam’s proactive role in promoting regional cooperation on fisheries management, marine ecological protection, and in implementing the EC’s recommendations to lift the “yellow card” warning against Vietnamese seafood.

The Prime Minister commended Vietnam’s overseas missions in the region for their efforts in fostering cooperation, maintaining political and diplomatic dialogue, and establishing regular communication channels with maritime and fisheries authorities in host countries. He stressed that ASEAN holds strategic importance for Vietnam and that it is necessary to continue expanding and deepening cooperation for sustainable fisheries development, particularly by enhancing monitoring capacity, traceability, and promoting awareness among fishermen on compliance with IUU regulations.

The Prime Minister requested that Vietnam’s representative missions actively and closely coordinate with regional countries to implement existing cooperation mechanisms, while also proposing new initiatives on marine resource management and conservation. These efforts, he said, would contribute to building a safe, cooperative, and prosperous ASEAN maritime space.

He also called for intensified international communication to highlight Vietnam’s efforts, determination, and achievements in combating IUU fishing, affirming that this is a shared regional responsibility in protecting the oceans and ensuring long-term livelihoods for fishermen.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with President of the European Council Antonio Costa on October 27. (Photo: VGP)

Earlier, on the morning of October 27, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with President of the European Council Antonio Costa. During the meeting, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Vietnam’s political determination and strong actions to combat IUU fishing and proposed that the European Commission soon send an inspection team to Vietnam to assess the situation and consider lifting the IUU “yellow card” on Vietnamese seafood exports.

He shared that he personally chairs weekly meetings with ministries, agencies, and localities to direct the fight against IUU fishing, from improving legal frameworks and managing fishing vessels to monitoring fishing activities and handling violations. At the same time, Vietnam is promoting international cooperation, including with Southeast Asian countries, to develop a sustainable fisheries sector, strengthen the capacity of fishermen and businesses, and transition from capture fishing to responsible aquaculture in line with green standards and global supply chains.

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