Hanoi (VNA)▨ - The Vietnam - Japan marine economic policy dialogue in 2023 is an opportunity for the two sides to exchange policy views on guidelines to better exploit and protect the marine environment and resources.

The Vietnam Agency of Seas and Islands under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the National Ocean Policy Secretariat at the Cabinet Office of Japan held a dialogue on the oceans and marine environment in Hanoi on October 16. The goal of the talks between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Japanese Cabinet Office is to implement the memorandum of understanding on cooperation in sea and ocean policy signed on October 8, 2018, as part of the visit to Japan by the Vietnamese Prime Minister. Vietnam Agency of Seas and Islands Director Nguyen Duc Toan said that the exchange of experience in maritime policy and strategy holds theoretical and practical significance for Vietnam. The 2023 Vietnam-Japan Ocean Dialogue offers an opportunity for the two sides to share their views and experience in maritime management, he said, adding that its outcomes will contribute to strengthening connectivity and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in general and between the Vietnam Agency of Seas and Islands and the National Ocean Policy Secretariat in particular. According to Vietnam Agency of Seas and Islands Director Nguyen Duc Toan, the 21st century is considered the century of the ocean, the act of "reaching out to the sea" has become a major trend, an important orientation for all maritime countries, and even landlocked countries.

Like Vietnam, Japan is a maritime country, attaching special importance to the development and implementation of national policies and strategies on the sea. Japan issued the Ocean Policy Law in 2007 (Japan’s Marine Strategy) at the same time as𒈔 the Communist Party of Vietnam issued Resolution No. 09-NQ/TW on Vietnam's Marine Strategy to 2020.

Expressing his joy on organising the dialogue, Secretary General of the Japanese National Ocean Policy Secretariat Miyazawa Koi-chi said talks were very meaningful in 2023, as Vietnam and Japan celebrate the 50^th꧅ anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations together.

According to him, a long coastline and thousands of islands means Japan considers the sustainable use of resources and protection in the marine environment as one of the country's most important tasks. Accordingly, the Japanese Government has relied on the inheritance and effective use of resources to build a policy strategy for sea and ocean management over the years. At the event, participants examined reports on Vietnam’s sea-related policies and laws, including those on maritime economic development. They also looked at other issues like obstacles to offshore wind power study, marine pollution prevention and control, along with Japan’s blue economy. Notably, they discussed cooperation orientations between the two sides to 2025 with a vision towards 2030./.