ITLOS Judge Nguyen Thi Lan Anh: 'I commit to fulfilling my responsibilities with independence, objectivity and respect for justice'
WVR - Just returned from New York after attending the 36th Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and being elected as a Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh shared her thoughts and responsibilities upon taking on this new role with The World and Vietnam Report.
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| Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Vice President of the Diplomatic Academy, Vietnam's candidate, was elected as a Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the 2026-2035 term with the highest votes in the Asia-Pacific region. (Photo: Bao Chi) |
Could you share your feelings about being elected as a Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the 2026 - 2035 term, an event that, according to Politburo Member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung, marks a new step for Vietnam in international legal integration, reflecting the international community's trust in Vietnam's capabilities, reputation, and contributions?
First, allow me to express my emotion and honour at being chosen by the Party and State to run for the position of Judge at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. The election result reflects the trust and support of international friends towards Vietnam. This is due to the country's prestige and position as it enters a new era.
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| Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh. (Photo: Bao Chi) |
International friends trust and support Vietnam's candidacy, a country with a resilient historical tradition both in the struggle for national liberation and in building and defending the nation. Countries also recognize and highly appreciate Vietnam's multilateral diplomatic achievements, such as successfully serving two terms as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, being elected to the Human Rights Council in 2025, serving as Chair of the 35th Meeting of States Parties to the Law of the Sea Convention, Chair of the Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in 2026, and being a member of the International Law Commission, the Legal and Technical Commission of the International Seabed Authority, and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law.
This achievement is also a vivid testament to the consistent implementation of a more proactive, positive, substantive, and effective foreign policy, aiming to fulfill the essential and regular tasks of foreign affairs and contribute to the international community in maintaining a rules-based, fair, and transparent international order. It is also the result of decisive implementation, mobilizing the comprehensive strength of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at both bilateral and multilateral levels, the Vietnamese Representative Missions abroad, along with the support and cooperation of ministries and sectors throughout the two-year election campaign.
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| The election of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh with a high number of votes and immediately after the first voting round demonstrates the international community's trust in Vietnam's position and role. (Photo: Bao Chi) |
In the future, how will you fulfill your responsibilities in your new role?
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea is one of the important institutions established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). After 30 years since it began operating in 1996, the Tribunal has affirmed its role as one of the leading international bodies in promoting the implementation of UNCLOS through resolving international maritime disputes and providing official, guiding interpretations to countries, thereby contributing to fostering friendly relations and cooperation among nations worldwide, as well as promoting peaceful and sustainable ocean governance.
With the trust and election by UNCLOS member states, and the confidence of the Party and State, I am committed to fulfilling my responsibilities with independence, objectivity, respect for justice, adhering to the Tribunal's regulations and UNCLOS provisions. I aspire to actively contribute to promoting the Tribunal's role in respecting and implementing UNCLOS, as well as the development of international law, thereby contributing to maintaining peace, stability, and sustainable development of seas and oceans. I also wish to continue contributing to the training, nurturing, and building of legal personnel both domestically and internationally.
On this occasion, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation for the invaluable support from the Party and State leaders, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs leadership, and colleagues both domestically and internationally who have trusted, supported, and assisted throughout the two-year election campaign. The result of this election is a victory of a shared determination, a persistent, united, and professional implementation of foreign affairs tasks.
Thank you very much, Assoc. Prof. Dr.!
| On June 18, within the framework of the 36th Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Vice President of the Diplomatic Academy, Vietnam's candidate, was elected as a Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the 2026-2035 term with the highest votes in the Asia-Pacific region. This is the first time Vietnam has nominated and had a representative at ITLOS since the Tribunal began operating in 1996. The election of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh with a high number of votes and immediately after the first voting round demonstrates the international community's trust in Vietnam's position and role, serving as evidence of a new development in the country's multilateral diplomacy and international legal integration. |
