Vietnam's first judge on the ITLOS - recognition of both professional excellence and growing international standing: Australian Ambassdor
Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird emphasized that Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh as a judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) is more than a historic milestone for Vietnam.
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| Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh (in blue) at the election of judges to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). (Photo: Bao Chi) |
What is your assessment of the significance of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh’s election as a Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS)?
As Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, I would like to warmly congratulate Dr Lan Anh on her election as a judge on the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). Her election is more than a historic milestone for Vietnam. It is also a recognition of both her professional excellence and Vietnam’s growing international standing. Further, it reflects Vietnam’s shared commitment with Australia to upholding international law and making substantial contributions to multilateralism – a priority for our leaders as reflected in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
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| Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird. (Photo: Autralian Embassy) |
Dr Lan Anh is a leading global expert on the law of the sea. Her principled and nuanced approach has shed light on how countries’ interpretations of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) can influence peace, security and stability in the maritime domain. As a maritime nation like Vietnam, Australia sees UNCLOS as the comprehensive legal framework for all activities in the ocean and seas. It underpins trade, maritime security, and environmental protection. Australia is proud to have worked closely with Dr Lan Anh in recent years to uphold international law and strengthen maritime security.
Dr Lan Anh’s election also sends a clear message: Vietnam is not just an active participant but also a constructive contributor to the international community. Dr Lan Anh’s appointment, as a qualified woman scholar serving on an independent UN body, reflects Vietnam’s increasing investment in legal training and gender equality. We hope Dr Lan Anh’s achievement will inspire many young legal scholars and diplomats in Vietnam, especially women, to pursue careers in international law and maritime security.
Australia is proud to be a trusted partner for Vietnam in training law of the sea experts and promoting women’s leadership, under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Australia and Vietnam are expanding bilateral maritime cooperation to address shared challenges – promoting education and training on law of the sea, hydrography, maritime law enforcement, and marine protection. This support is funded under Australia’s AUD160 million regional Southeast Asia Maritime Partnerships program, where Vietnam is a priority partner.
Like Australia, Vietnam has underscored the importance of UNCLOS and peaceful settlement disputes. UNCLOS is not an abstract legal instrument, and neither are dispute settlement mechanisms such as ITLOS. By successfully nominating a scholar of Dr Lan Anh’s calibre to ITLOS, Vietnam is demonstrating its role as an active middle power, not only advocating for a rules-based international order but also helping shape international institutions. Dr Lan Anh’s role will be impartial and independent, but her service to ITLOS will strengthen consistent interpretations of UNCLOS and international law. For Australia, this is a welcome development because we share a vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous region where sovereignty is respected and disputes are resolved in line with international law.
What are your expectations for Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh’s contributions, in her new capacity as a Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), to advancing the rules-based international order and upholding the universal values and integrity of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)?
At a time when the Indo-Pacific faces complex challenges, the role of independent multilateral institutions is vital. They help ensure peaceful settlement of disputes and empower states to pursue this approach rather than relying on hard power. A rules-based maritime order benefits all countries, big and small, allowing for freedom of navigation and trade. Dr Lan Anh’s contributions as an independent and impartial ITLOS judge will be essential for this.
Moreover, with her deep expertise in law of the sea, she will bring to the Tribunal sound judgement and critical interpretations of UNCLOS. Her contributions will strengthen ITLOS’ standing as an effective legal mechanism to resolve disputes.
I’d like to wish Dr Lan Anh success in her important new role.
Thank you, the Ambassador!
