Integrated management of seas and oceans: A pillar for sustainable development

The ocean, a vital source of life for humanity, is under unprecedented pressure from climate change, environmental pollution, biodiversity loss, and geopolitical tensions. In this context, the integrated management of seas and oceans, grounded in science and international cooperation, has become an essential imperative to safeguard the blue future of humankind.

From international commitments to National Action

With its unique geopolitical position, Viet Nam has consistently demonstrated an active and responsible role in global ocean governance. At the Third United Nations Ocean Conference held in France, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, representing ASEAN countries, emphasized a marine economic development orientation based on science, technology, environmental protection, and cooperation for peace and stability at sea.

Integrated management of seas and oceans is not merely a technical tool but a strategic pillar enabling Viet Nam to effectively harness the potential of its marine economy, protect the environment, and affirm its position as a responsible maritime nation.

Under the direction of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the institutional framework supporting sustainable marine economic development has been progressively improved. The Party Central Committee’s Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW on the Strategy for Sustainable Marine Economic Development, the National Assembly’s Resolution No. 139/2024/QH15 on the National Marine Spatial Planning, and the Government’s Resolution No. 48/NQ-CP on the Sustainable Exploitation and Use of Marine Resources have together established a solid legal foundation for Viet Nam to become a strong and prosperous maritime nation.

These orientations regard integrated ocean and coastal management as a modern governance approach - one that eliminates overlaps, strengthens coordination across sectors and localities, optimizes resources, and ensures harmony between economic development and environmental protection.

However, implementation still faces challenges such as overlapping plans, fragmented data, and the absence of a unified coordination mechanism. In this context, the Party Central Committee’s Resolutions No. 57-NQ/TW and 59-NQ/TW on the development of science, technology, innovation, and international integration open a new path - recognizing science and technology as the key driving forces and innovation as the breakthrough for progress.

Toward a strong, prosperous, and sustainable maritime nation

The merger of coastal provinces under Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW has expanded the management space and created new opportunities for more effective regional linkages. However, it also poses urgent requirements for governance capacity and data sharing. This presents a timely opportunity to accelerate digital transformation, develop smart marine spatial planning, and advance a blue marine economy.

Looking ahead to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Viet Nam in 2030 and the goal of becoming a developed, high-income country by 2045, the Viet Nam Agency of Seas and Islands (VASI) defines its central role as coordinating the implementation of national objectives toward a strong, sustainable, prosperous, and internationally responsible maritime nation. In the coming period, VASI will focus on several breakthrough orientations, including:

Completing a comprehensive institutional framework for integrated ocean management, building a modern and transparent legal system, and fully domesticating international treaties such as the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2025 BBNJ Agreement, ensuring management based on scientific evidence.

Strengthening unified direction and coordination mechanisms, with an emphasis on enhancing resources for the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee on Sustainable Marine Economic Development, promoting intersectoral and interregional coordination; while at the same time advancing decentralization in tandem with monitoring and capacity-building support for coastal localities.

At the same time, VASI aims to promote science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation in the maritime sector, viewing them as key driving forces. The focus will be on research and application of strategic technologies such as deep-sea exploration, offshore renewable energy, big data, and artificial intelligence, toward the formation of a “digital mode of production” in the marine economy.

Finally, VASI seeks to elevate international integration toward co-creation and leadership, shifting from mere “participation” to “value creation.” Viet Nam should proactively engage in, and even host, major global forums and initiatives on the ocean, while strengthening coordination among ministries, sectors, and coastal localities to share knowledge, resources, and development opportunities.

To realize this vision, the Viet Nam Agency of Seas and Islands recommends the early completion of a legal framework, monitoring mechanisms, and green finance mobilization for sustainable ocean development; prioritizing investment in a digital, interconnected, and intelligent marine spatial data infrastructure; establishing a dedicated maritime diplomacy mechanism; promoting marine biodiversity conservation in tandem with the development of a blue economy; and encouraging coastal localities to implement integrated management models tailored to their regional characteristics.

These groups of tasks not only contribute to safeguarding national sovereignty and fulfilling the aspiration of building a strong and prosperous maritime nation, but also aim toward a green, prosperous, and sustainable future, where Viet Nam affirms its position as a responsible and influential maritime nation in the region and the world.