International Conference on East Sea “Navigating Narratives, Nurturing Norms” held in Quang Ninh
WVR - On the morning of October 23, 2024, the 16th International Scientific Conference on the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea), co-organized by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and partner agencies, opened in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province with the theme “Navigating Narratives, Nurturing Norms”.
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| The 16th International Conference on the East Sea “Navigating Narratives, Nurturing Norms” was held in Quang Ninh: eputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet delivered a keynote speech. (Photo: Pham Hang) |
The Conference were attended by Associate Professor, Dr. Le Hai Binh, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Editor-in-Chief of Communist Review, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet and nearly 300 delegates, along with over 250 registered online participants.
This event gathered nearly 50 esteemed speakers who are prestigious experts from 23 countries and international organizations; nearly 100 delegates from foreign representative missions in Vietnam, 22 Ambassadors, many of whom directly participated in coordinating the conference sessions. Many reporters from domestic and international news agencies and television stations covered the Conference.
In her opening remark, Acting Director of the Diplomatic Academy, Ambassador, Dr. Pham Lan Dung shared the reason for choosing Ha Long - a beautiful city - as this year's conference venue: it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which shows the greatness and resilience of nature. Like the legend of Ha Long, the Organizing Committee wishes to convey the message of the mission to protect the precious values of peace, stability and common prosperity in the East Sea, as well as to demonstrate the commitment to finding sustainable solutions for the region.
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| Acting Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, Ambassador, Dr. Pham Lan Dung with opening remark. (Photo: Pham Hang) |
Ambassador Dr. Pham Lan Dung noted that after many years of discussion, East Sea remains a hotspot, with territorial disputes, differences in maritime claims and increasing militarization activities. However, she believes that, like islands standing firm against storms, relevant parties must stay steadfast in their efforts to pursue peace and diplomacy; and, like the process of polishing a stone, progress in diplomacy requires time, patience and optimist attitude.
At the opening session, Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet delivered a keynote speech, assessing that the world is facing a major turning point, undergoing a transition to a multipolar, multi-centered situation that is unpredictable and may lead to disaster if not well controlled. He mentioned that the trust in existing institutions and rules is gradually declining, leading to a dominance of unilateral actions that overlook the legitimate interests of parties and the international community.
Deputy Minister Viet assessed that this trend has been shrinking the space for dialogue, diplomacy and cooperation; pushing arms races and deterrence measures to the forefront in strategies of many countries. He indicated that competition among major countries today is not merely about territorial disputes or resource competition in order to control trade, technology and military capabilities, but more importantly, about influencing perspectives and visions that will shape the international system in the future. Therefore, the Deputy Minister spoke highly of the conference’s theme of “Navigating Narratives, Nurturing Norms” - a theme that demonstrates current topicality and urgency.
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| Participants at the conference. (Photo: Pham Hang) |
In this context, Deputy Minister Viet affirmed that adherence to widely recognized principles and standards is a basis to ensure international peace and stability as well as a common framework for countries to peacefully and cooperatively resolve disputes. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the entry into force of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and is an opportunity to affirm the significance of the Convention that established a comprehensive international legal framework for all activities on the seas and oceans, and providing the basis for actions and cooperation at the national, regional and global levels; therefore, the integrity of UNCLOS must be maintained, he stressed.
The Deputy Minister also mentioned that Vietnam’s first candidacy to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the 2026-2035 tenure, reaffirmed the country’s willingness to contribute to the ITLOS’s activities as well as its commitments to the UN Charter and international law in general and UNCLOS in particular.
On this occasion, Deputy Minister Viet also stated that the freshly-signed Pact for the Future of the UN demonstrates the global resolve in handling humanity’s challenges through multilateral cooperation. ASEAN should be trusted with the bridging role as ASEAN principles of openness, inclusivity, transparency, and respect for international law will be able connect all parties involved.
This year, on the occasion of the main conference, the Organizing Committee opens the Young Leaders Program to seek young researchers on the East Sea and holds a special session with the theme “Young Generation and Maritime Security”.
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| This event gathered nearly 50 esteemed speakers who are prestigious experts from 23 countries and international organizations. (Photo: Pham Hang) |
Notably, for the first time, the Organizing Committee organized an ASEAN Roundtable to connect leading Southeast Asian experts to discuss opportunities for promoting regional cooperation.
Leaders from Quang Ninh Province have expressed that being chosen as the venue for this important conference in the context of just experienced the biggest storm in the past 30 years; is an opportunity to promote the image and potential of the locality as well as to affirm Quang Ninh's support and commitment to international cooperation efforts, protecting maritime sovereignty and developing the blue economy, demonstrating the province's robust revival after facing challenges.
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| Notably, for the first time,Organizing Committee opens the Young Leaders Program to seek young researchers on the East Sea and holds a special session with the theme “Young Generation and Maritime Security”. (Photo: Pham Hang) |
Referred to as “a miniature Vietnam,” Quang Ninh Province has consistently pursued sustainable, inclusive, and comprehensive development goals over more than 60 years of construction and development, transitioning from “brown” to “green” development based on three pillars: Nature - People - Culture; placing citizens at the center, clearly defining core values that are unique and culturally rich, characterized by “Beautiful nature - Distinctive culture - Civilized society - Transparent governance - Developed economy - Happy people.”
The 16th East Sea International Conference takes place over two days, October 23-24, 2024, featuring seven sessions with diverse topics: (1) Towards a multipolar order: "Hot peace", "Cold war" or "Coexistence in Peace"?; (2) ASEAN's central role in challenges: Proactive engagement or waiting for opportunities?; (3) Maritime safety and freedom from the Red Sea to the East Sea: Who is responsible?; (4) UNCLOS after 30 years: Still relevant?; (5) Revisiting the obligation not to use or threaten to use force in conflict resolution and prevention; (6) Autonomous vehicles at sea: Can artificial intelligence self-correct?; (7) Diplomacy, Defense or Deterrence: Which is the choice for peace?.
In addition to the seven main discussion sessions, this year's Conference also includes 02 Keynote Sessions featuring important presentations by Judge Horinouchi Hidehisa from the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) and senior officials from various countries such as Ms. Catherine West, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Indo-Pacific) at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), UK; MP Tim Watts, Australian Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Scott Millar, Assistant Secretary for Policy, Canadian Department of National Defence; Mr. Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro (Director for ASEAN Cooperation, Indonesia); Mr. Niclas Kvarnström, Director for Asia-Pacific, European External Action Service (EEAS).
