New York (VNA) – Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister DangDinh Quy delivered a speech on the third day of the UN Ocean Conference in NewYork on June 7, stressing that the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea(UNCLOS) is a legal basis for the realisation of Sustainable Development Goal(SDG) 14.

He said Vietnam highly commendsthe Conference’s draft "Call for Action" and fully shares theview that the implementation of Goal 14, which is to conserve and sustainablyuse the oceans, seas and marine resources, requires strong partnership andcooperation among and between governments, enterprises, internationaland regional organisations as well as all other stakeholders.

Quy noted the legal basis for thispartnership and activities should be the universally recognisedinterpretation and application of international law, particularly the 1982UNCLOS. 

“Since there exist numerous areas of disputedwater in the world, the compliance to and the implementation of dutiesunder UNCLOS would ensure maritime security and safety, and create apeaceful marine environment as cooperation and partnership would notbe possible without peace and stability,” he added.

To successfully implement the "Call forAction", Quy highlighted the importance of 
raising the awareness in the society, especiallylocal communities, of the need for the conservation and sustainable use ofoceans, sea, and marine resources.

It is necessary to promote cooperative mechanismsat international, regional and sub-regional levels, especially in disputedwaters, to maintain peace, stability, and development. 

Meanwhile, developed countries should beencouraged to enhance capacity building, transfer of modern marinetechnology to developing and least-developed countries, thus helpingstrengthen their ocean-based sustainable economies, resilience to climatechange and contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of oceansand seas, Quy said.

According to the Deputy Minister, Vietnam has integrated theSGDs into its national development plans and strategies. It has enacted theNational Action Plan to implement SDGs of the 2030 Agenda, including Goal14. 

Within the framework of this conference, thecountry has committed to implement the project “Development of LocallyManaged Areas for Restoration and Sustainable Use of Coastal Eco-systemswith Involvement of Local Stakeholders.” It will continue toregister other voluntary commitments to implement Goal 14, Quy added.

The UN Ocean Conference from June 5-9 is set toapprove a statement on the formation of the “Call for Action” that supports theimplementation of Goal 14. A list of voluntary commitments to achieve Goal 14will also be announced at the event.-VNA