Jakarta (VNA) – Ambassador Vu Ho, acting head of SOM ASEAN Vietnam, voiced concerns about the ongoing complicated developments in cyber security,climate change, and East Sea issues at the ASEAN Regional Forum (😼ARF) SeniorOfficials’ Meeting (SOM) held on June 14 in Jakarta.

Speaking at the meeting, the diplomat stressed principled stance ofASEAN and suggested partners, when operating in the waters, should respect internationallaw, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982),jointly building the East Sea into a sea of peace, stability, cooperation anddevelopment. The ARF SOM reviewed situations and orientations of ARFcooperation, discussed international and regional issues of mutual concern, andprepared for the ARF-30 Ministerial Meeting to be held nextmonth. Participants acknowledged progress in ARFcooperation over the past time, especially efforts in implementing the HanoiAction Plan II (2020-2025). They also agreed on measures to accelerate theimplementation of the remaining activities in the Hanoi Action Plan II andproposed plans for the mid-term 2023-2024. Marking its 30th anniversary, they reaffirmed the ARF is the leading forum in the region to promote dialogue andcooperation on political-security issues while promoting trust-building and preventivediplomacy. Discussing international and regional issues, they expressed concerns about impacts of hotspots such as the Russia-Ukrainianconflict, the Korean Peninsula, and Myanmar, peace, stability and developmentin the region. They called on relevant parties toexercise restraint, ease tensions, strengthen dialogue, build trust, andresolve issues through peaceful means on the basis of international law. Regarding the East Sea issue, participants expressedconcern about complicated developments in this strategic sea, supported ASEAN’scommon principled stance on the East Sea, and upheld compliance with internationallaw, especially UNCLOS 1982. They also agreed tostrengthen efforts to develop an effective and substantive Code of Conduct(COC) in the East Sea in accordance with international law and the UNCLOS 1982./.