Vietnam, Japan cooperate on marine economy management and development

On September 8 in Hanoi, the Viet Nam Agency of Seas and Islands under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in collaboration with the Secretariat of the National Ocean Policy of Japan’s Cabinet Office, convened the Dialogue on Viet Nam-Japan marine economy policy 2025.

Speaking at the dialogue, Mr. Nguyen Duc Toan, Director General of the Viet Nam Agency of Seas and Islands, emphasized that this year’s event built upon the success of the 2024 meeting in Tokyo. According to him, the dialogue demonstrates the growing depth, effectiveness, and close ties in bilateral cooperation. Particularly, the Memorandum of Cooperation on Ocean and Marine Policy, signed in 2018, has provided a solid foundation to strengthen the Extensive Strategic Partnership between Viet Nam and Japan, enabling it to advance further in both scope and substance.

He underlined that, in the context of climate change and globalization, the sea represents not only a space of survival but also a strategic development domain for coastal states. Such collaboration between two nations, he noted, is not only in the shared interests of both nations but also benefits the broader region. This year’s dialogue provided a timely opportunity for the two sides to exchange views, share policies, and draw from each other’s experiences in marine management. The key topics discussed revolved around the sustainable use of marine resources, marine environmental protection, and cooperation in new fields such as offshore wind power development.

Quoting Mr. Toan: "Viet Nam is always ready and willing to broaden cooperation with Japan in policy-making, legislative improvement, and sustainable marine management and environmental protection, for the mutual benefit of both nations and the region at large."

Mr. Funamoto explained that, guided by this vision, the Japanese Government has been advancing a comprehensive and systematic ocean policy, while coordinating closely with relevant ministries and actively engaging private sector resources. He further underlined that Viet Nam remains a key partner for Japan in realizing a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific", and that Tokyo looks forward to strengthening cooperation in sustainable marine economic development particularly in emerging areas such as green port initiatives and offshore wind power.

He highlighted that both nations place great importance on harnessing the ocean's vast potential as a foundation for socio-economic development while ensuring that the ocean is passed down sustainably to future generations.

The dialogue was not only an opportunity to exchange technical insights but also a forum to reinforce strategic trust and partnership. According to both delegations, the Viet Nam-Japan Marine Economy Policy Dialogue 2025 plays an important role in tightening connections, expanding cooperation, and supporting Viet Nam in implementing its Sustainable Marine Economic Development Strategy to 2030, with a Vision to 2045. It also adds further depth to the extensive strategic partnership between the two nations.

During the meeting, delegates exchanged and discussed a variety of issues, including: updates on policies and legislation related to ocean governance and the marine economy in both countries; Viet Nam’s National Marine Spatial Planning for the period 2021–2030, with a vision to 2045; strategic orientations for marine economic sector development and green transition in maritime activities; experiences of both Japan and Viet Nam in offshore wind power development; directions for bilateral cooperation through to 2030, along with preparations for the agenda of the next annual meeting.