NewYork (VNA) – A Vietnamese representative has again stressed theimportant role of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as theConstitution of the seas and oceans which provides a comprehensive and soundlegal framework for all activities carried out in the seas and oceans.

Speakingat the 27th Meeting of States Parties to the UNCLOS in New York onJune 15, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Permanent Representative of Vietnam tothe United Nations (UN), emphasised the need for all State parties to fullyimplement their obligations under the UNCLOS, including to peacefully settledisputes on the application and explanation of the convention, to ensurepeaceful and sustainable use of the seas and oceans, for the benefits of allhuman beings.

“TheEast Sea is of vital significance to peace, security and development in theregion and the world,” stated Nga. “Therefore maintaining peace, security,safety and freedom of maritime navigation and over-flight, as well ascooperation for the sustainable use of the East Sea is exceptionally importantto the countries in the region and the international community”.

Vietnamhas actively cooperated with other countries through bilateral and multilateralforums such as ASEAN, ARF, and APEC on marine environment protection,scientific research, security and safety of maritime navigation andover-flight, search and rescue, response to climate change and emergencies,combating transnational crimes and piracy.

Atthe national level, the Vietnamese Government and localities have implemented alot of measures to protect sea environment and ecosystem, and respond toclimate change and emergencies and negative impacts of climate change on thecountry’s coastal areas.

Thediplomat also stressed that Vietnam has been coordinating closely with othersin the region to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in theEast Sea (DOC) and develop the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Vietnamcalls on all parties involved to “refrain from actions that may furthercomplicate the situation and escalate tensions in the region, fully respectlegal and diplomatic processes, settle disputes by peaceful means, on the basisof international law, including the UNCLOS, fully and effectively implement theDOC and early conclude the legally binding COC”, she added.

The27th Meeting of States Parties to the UNCLOS, held from June 12-16,attracted the participation of representatives from over 160 member states ofthe UNCLOS, and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the InternationalSeabed Authority (ISA) and the Commission on the Limits of the ContinentalShelf (CLCS).

Speeches at the meeting asserted the importance of the UNCLOS as aninternational  comprehensive legalframework to adjust activities and issues relating to seas, oceans, stressingthe necessity to continue developing and perfecting the legal system onmanaging seas and oceans.-VNA