New York (VNA) –The plenary and closing session of the 30th meeting of state parties to the1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) took place at the UNheadquarters in New York on December 9 with the participation of nearly 120member states.

At the session, Vietnam underlined the need forstates to enhance international cooperation and have an overall andmulti-sectoral approach to the settlement of challenges to the global marineenvironment.

Nearly 30 countries gave opinions on the UNSecretary-General’s report on oceans and law of the sea, highlightingchallenges to the conservation and sustainable use of seas and oceans such asunsustainable economic activities, marine pollution, sea-level rise, andillegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

They stressed the necessity to step upinternational cooperation on the basis of the UNCLOS, boost member states’convention implementation capacity, and promote the building of aninternational legally binding instrument on marine biodiversity in areas beyondnational jurisdiction.

During the 30th meeting, Ambassador Dang DinhQuy, head of the Vietnamese mission to the UN, affirmed the comprehensiveness,unity, and consistency of the 1982 UNCLOS, which is the framework regulatingall sea- and ocean-related activities and helping to ensure safety, security,and freedom of navigation and implement the 2030 Agenda for SustainableDevelopment.

Regarding the East Sea situation, he reiteratedVietnam’s consistent stance, which was also affirmed at a plenary session ofthe UN General Assembly on December 8, that all disputes must be settled bypeaceful means on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS,with respect for diplomatic and legal processes and without using force orthreatening to use force.

The diplomat expressed concern about some recentincidents in the East Sea that have seriously infringed Vietnam’s sovereignrights and jurisdiction.

Quy called on related parties to exerciseself-restraint while not carrying out militarisation or conducting activitiesthat complicate the situation, escalate disputes, affect the safety andsecurity of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, or jeopardise peace andstability in the region.

All parties must fully implement the Declarationon the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and soon finalise a substantive andefficient code of conduct that is in line with the UNCLOS, he added.

The 30th meeting of state parties to the 1982UNCLOS kicked off on July 6. Due to movement restrictions imposed by New Yorkauthorities and the UN to prevent COVID-19 transmission, the event was held indifferent forms, including sending written opinions and feedback along withonline and in-person sessions./.