Vietnam plays a responsible role in global ocean conservation

The United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), taking place from June 9-13 in Nice, France, brings together heads of state and high-level delegates from hundreds of countries, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society. The goal is to reach consensus on commitments, policies, and actions to protect and sustainably harness ocean resources.

On this occasion, Vietnam once again reaffirmed its consistent role as a proactive and active partner in global ocean conservation efforts, emphasizing the importance of achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) on life below water.

Strengthening global commitments and taking action for the ocean

Speaking about the outcomes of the conference, Vietnam’s Minister of Agriculture and Environment, Do Duc Duy, emphasized: "UNOC3 is not only an opportunity for countries to assess the progress of SDG14 implementation, but also an urgent call for cooperative action - where efforts to protect the ocean become a shared responsibility of governments, the scientific community, and every coastal citizen."

Minister Do Duc Duy acknowledged the outcomes of UNOC3 in France, notably the broad consensus on advancing the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), and the commitment to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030, as outlined in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

In particular, this year’s event featured significant initiatives such as the Ocean Rise & Coastal Resilience Summit and the Blue Economy & Finance Forum (BEFF) in Monaco, while also noting strong engagement from civil society, ushering in new approaches to more effective ocean protection strategies.

“UNOC3 in France was of great significance,” Minister Do Duc Duy stated. “It marked a turning point in advancing ocean protection and international cooperation to address global environmental challenges. While the political declarations made at UNOC3 are not legally binding, they send a powerful message: to safeguard our oceans and marine ecosystems.”

6 strategic commitments

As an active participant in the conference, Vietnam took part in key sessions and discussions, and proposed important cooperation initiatives to preserve ocean health and ensure the sustainable development of marine resources.

Specifically, at the Summit on World Deltas co-chaired by Vietnam and Iraq, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the strategic importance of the Mekong River Delta and the Red River Delta. These regions that play a vital role in regional and global food security. The Prime Minister pledged to implement sustainable development policies and foster international cooperation in water resource management and ecosystem protection, while also developing resilient infrastructure to withstand natural disasters and adapt to climate change.

During the thematic session on sustainable fisheries management, Vietnam clearly outlined its goals to promote sustainable governance models such as co-management and marine resource conservation. Vietnam also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting coastal fishing communities through the adoption of new technologies, enhancing fisheries management, and combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

In six thematic sessions in which Vietnam participated, the Prime Minister and members of the Vietnamese delegation declared the country’s strategic priorities, including: the protection of marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds; the development of a blue economy aligned with resource conservation; sustainable fisheries management with support for small-scale fishers; the fight against IUU fishing; the reduction of ocean plastic pollution and the improvement of land-based waste control systems; and the promotion of international cooperation in marine scientific research, environmental monitoring technologies, and data sharing.

Vietnam’s commitments at UNOC3 go beyond words. They represent a continuation and elevation of concrete actions already being implemented domestically. These commitments mark a significant milestone in the global recognition of the ocean’s role in peace, security, sustainable development, and the future of our planet.

Minister Do Duc Duy affirmed: “With strong international commitment and cooperation, we can protect our oceans and sustainably develop the marine economy.”

With its increasingly active role on the international stage, Vietnam not only affirms its national position in promoting a blue economy but also stands as a responsible partner and trusted companion of the international community in conserving and sustainably utilizing ocean resources.