The Diplomatic Society hails Viet Nam's views on maritime security
The Diplomatic Society on August 16 published an article by Kirtan Bhana, the site's founder and Editor-in-Chief, hailing the views of Viet Nam and India on maritime security. The following is the full text of the article.
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| Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh spoke at the event. (Photo: VNA) |
168 countries are party to this noble UN convention that comprehensively sets out a legal order for the seas and oceans, the ocean floor, the subsoil thereof and the air space above.
At the first-ever UN Security Council Open Debate on Enhancing Maritime Security which was held virtually on August 9, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said, “Even when the world is devoting many resources to the fight against COVID-19, the topic of our discussion is of strategic and substantial importance.
Viet Nam especially commends and echoes India's Five S Approach at the Security Council. Viet Nam is committed to working with India and other Council members in promoting dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect, for global peace and prosperity.”
For a littoral country like Viet Nam which has a coastline that stretches for 3,620km, the ocean is a vital resource that includes Viet Nam's territorial waters in the South China Sea (also knows as the East Sea in Viet Nam) extending to the East and Southeast, including the continental shelf, islands and archipelagoes.
Prime Minister Chinh acknowledged the 1982 UNCLOS as the Constitution of Oceans and Seas, the universal and unified legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out, and the basis for international cooperation to address common challenges in the world.
“Recognizing the importance of oceans and seas, nations have created important cooperation mechanisms, both bilateral and multilateral, at regional and global levels. Nevertheless, at sea, we are faced with both traditional and non-traditional security challenges. Terrorism and criminal acts, especially organized crime, have been expanding in scope and complexity. Climate change, sea-level rise and pollution of the marine environment, especially by plastic debris and degradation of the marine ecosystem, have caused serious and long-term consequences. Unilateral acts that violate international law, even threats or uses of force, have escalated tensions and affected peace, friendship, security, safety and freedom of navigation and trade, as well as efforts to address non-traditional security challenges”, stated Prime Minister Chinh.
In his proposal to the UNSC debate the PM presented that it is imperative that states and international organisations develop a comprehensive, extensive and broad awareness of the importance of oceans and seas, and the threats to maritime security.
Secondly, maritime security is a global issue and therefore requires global solutions to be provided by a network of arrangements and initiatives for regional maritime security with the United Nations working as the coordinator, to bolster information and experience sharing, coordinate actions, and address common challenges in a timely manner and thirdly the policies, regulations and conducts of states at sea must be in line with international law, especially the United Nations Charter and the 1982 UNCLOS.
Viet Nam’s PM re-affirmed the country consistently pursues a foreign policy of peace, independence, self-reliance, multilateralization and diversification of international relations, as a trusted friend and partner, and a reliable member of the international community.
Viet Nam stands ready to cooperate, exchange information and share experience with other countries in efforts to address maritime security issues and to contribute positively to the maintenance of a peaceful and secured maritime environment, and sustainable development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Chinh’s attendance was at the invitation of PM Narendra Modi of India that began its rotating Presidency of the UNSC in August.
Both PMs Pham Minh Chinh and Narendra Modi are confident that a global roadmap of maritime security cooperation can be formed with the United Nations serving as the coordinator, to bolster information and experience sharing, coordinate actions, and address shared challenges in a timely manner.
(TGVN)
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