Vietnam Chairs Opening Session of the 36th Meeting of States Parties to UNCLOS

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Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu chairs the meeting. (Photo: Thanh Tuan/VNA)

On June 15, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the United States, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu chaired the opening session of the 36th Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (SPLOS) in his capacity as President of SPLOS 35. He subsequently delivered remarks during the discussion on the Report of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) as Head of the Vietnamese Delegation.

According to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondent in New York, this year’s meeting was attended by representatives of 172 States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), observers, heads of bodies established under the Convention, and representatives of several relevant international and non-governmental organizations.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu welcomed Cambodia and Kyrgyzstan, which were participating for the first time as States Parties to UNCLOS. He emphasized that UNCLOS continues to serve as the comprehensive legal framework governing all activities in the seas and oceans, providing the foundation for stability, cooperation, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Against the backdrop of mounting challenges facing the oceans, including climate change, marine pollution, biodiversity loss, maritime security issues, and the impacts of emerging technologies, the Deputy Minister stressed the need for countries to strengthen cooperation and mobilize additional resources to protect the oceans, thereby maintaining a peaceful, secure, and sustainably developed marine environment.

Overview of the meeting. (Photo: Thanh Tuan/VNA)

The Deputy Minister also noted significant progress in global ocean governance in recent years, including the entry into force of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) on January 17, 2026; the successful convening of the Third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France; and the ongoing activities of ITLOS, the International Seabed Authority, and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu called on States Parties to continue implementing UNCLOS fully and effectively, support the work of institutions established under the Convention, and cooperate in addressing new challenges in a spirit of collaboration, mutual respect, and goodwill.

Following the opening session, representatives of participating countries, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, and the UN Secretariat congratulated Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu on his successful tenure as President of SPLOS 35. They commended his contributions to enhancing the role and value of UNCLOS, strengthening international cooperation in ocean governance, and supporting the work of institutions established under the Convention.

The Permanent Deputy Minister subsequently handed over the presidency of the meeting to Ambassador Wellington Bencosme, Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations, who was elected by consensus as President of SPLOS 36.

During the discussion on the ITLOS report, the Head of the Vietnamese Delegation joined other States Parties in reaffirming the value and role of ITLOS in the peaceful settlement of disputes and in interpreting and clarifying the provisions of UNCLOS. He also expressed support for the Tribunal’s activities, particularly its capacity-building programs designed to assist developing countries.

Ambassador Do Hung Viet delivers remarks. (Photo: Thanh Tuan/VNA)

Later that day, Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, hosted a formal diplomatic reception to mark the opening of SPLOS 36 and to further introduce Vietnam’s candidate for election to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Vice President of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, for the position of ITLOS judge for the 2026-2035 term.

The event was attended by heads of delegations participating in SPLOS 36, ambassadors and permanent representatives of UN member states, the President of ITLOS, representatives of international organizations, legal advisers, and officials responsible for candidate nominations from various countries.

Speaking at the reception, Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of supporting multilateralism, respecting international law, and promoting the peaceful settlement of disputes. He noted that Vietnam’s nomination of a candidate for an ITLOS judgeship for the first time reflects the country’s desire to contribute more actively to the interpretation and implementation of UNCLOS.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh expressed her honor at being nominated and affirmed her commitment to serving with independence, objectivity, integrity, and dedication to justice should she be elected.

According to the agenda, during the remaining days of the meeting, participants will discuss reports of the International Seabed Authority, the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, and the Secretary-General’s overview report on the implementation of UNCLOS. The meeting will also elect judges of ITLOS for the 2026–2035 term.

SPLOS is the annual meeting of States Parties to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. During the meeting, States Parties to UNCLOS as well as observer states present their positions and views and exchange information on issues related to the implementation of the Convention. They also review the performance of bodies established under UNCLOS over the past year, helping to shape future developments in the field of the law of the sea and the management and utilization of the oceans.

Over the years, Vietnam has consistently participated actively in the Meeting, delivered statements, and made constructive contributions in line with its steadfast policy of respecting and fully implementing UNCLOS.

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