The 17th East Sea Conference: Sharing Responsibility for Peace

On November 4, within the framework of the 17th International Scientific Conference on the East Sea, a special discussion session took place between Ambassadors with the theme 'Sharing responsibility towards peace'.

(From right to left) Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki; German Ambassador to Vietnam Helga Margarete Barth; Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Jim Nickel; EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier; Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs . (Source: Diplomatic Academy)

Attending the program were: Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier; Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Jim Nickel, German Ambassador to Vietnam Helga Margarete Barth and Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki. Director of the Diplomatic Academy Nguyen Hung Son moderated the discussion.

At the program, Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh reviewed a number of outstanding issues discussed within the framework of the Workshop. Firstly , the current environment of the East Sea is full of uncertainty, requiring further strengthening of the spirit of solidarity between ASEAN countries and related partners. Secondly , geopolitics and technology are creating profound fluctuations in the region. Thirdly , the strategies of major countries increasingly show the need to strengthen trust-building mechanisms such as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and promote the early achievement of a substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC); at the same time, maintaining the central role of ASEAN.

Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh emphasized the role of ASEAN and small and middle-sized countries in linking efforts on security, trade and cooperation to address both traditional and non-traditional challenges. ASEAN is the center connecting dialogue partners within and outside the region, widely recognized by the international community in the context of great power competition. He said that ASEAN should not fall into the “trap of choosing sides” but should maintain a flexible balance of cooperation and balance of interests to handle regional and global issues.

In addition, EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier affirmed that the EU has a common interest in ensuring security in the region's maritime areas, because Europe's "economic health" is closely linked to maritime stability in the Indo- Pacific . Any disruption caused by strategic competition between major countries affects the global supply chain.

Mr. Julien Guerrier emphasized the importance of respecting international law, especially UNCLOS 1982, considering it the foundation for effective maritime governance.

According to the EU Ambassador, the bloc is committed to supporting the enhancement of maritime capacity for ASEAN countries through joint projects, to share experiences in maritime governance and respond to technological challenges. The EU and ASEAN share a “common DNA” of respecting the rule of law, maintaining peace, stability, prosperity, and cooperating to protect biodiversity and the marine environment.

Delegates attending the discussion session. (Source: Diplomatic Academy)

Meanwhile, Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Jim Nickel emphasized the strategic importance of the East Sea – where one-third of global trade takes place and provides 10% of the world's seafood, directly affecting food security and people's livelihoods.

Canada opposes militarization and aggressive actions at sea, calling for compliance with UNCLOS to make the East Sea a sea of ​​peace. Mr. Jim Nickel called for speaking out against violations of international law, increasing information transparency and maintaining multi-level dialogue - bilateral, multilateral, both state and non-state.

Ottawa is expanding trade and security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, signing a strategic partnership with ASEAN (2023), a free trade agreement (FTA) with Indonesia (2025) and being a member of the CPTPP. The Canadian Ambassador assessed that Vietnam, as Chair of the CPTPP Council from January 2026, is well-positioned to connect middle-sized economies and strengthen the rules-based trade order.

The German Ambassador to Vietnam quoted German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's statement on the three principles of Berlin's Indo-Pacific strategy: security, freedom and prosperity. Germany is deeply concerned about the regional situation, especially the risk of eroding international norms in handling disputes in the East Sea.

Delegates asked questions and exchanged with the speaker. (Source: Diplomatic Academy)

Berlin and the EU continue to support free trade and a rules-based world order, opposing any imposition by major powers. The Ambassador stressed that multilateralism and transparency are essential foundations, not taken for granted, but pillars to ensure peace and stability in times of crisis.

Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki said that new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attended the ASEAN diplomatic forums in Malaysia and APEC in South Korea in October, affirming the continuation of the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific - Tokyo's consistent policy pillar since 2016 based on the rule of law and open international order.

According to Ambassador Ito Naoki, Tokyo firmly rejects unilateral actions that change the status quo or provoke aggression at sea, and strongly supports UNCLOS and the rules-based order. Japan is strengthening cooperation through the Official Security Assistance (OSA) program for countries in the region such as Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, helping to improve defense capabilities, reduce uncertainty and contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

The 17th International Scientific Conference on the East Sea with the theme "Solidarity in Uncertainty" took place from November 3-4 in Da Nang.

With the theme “Solidarity in Uncertainty”, the Workshop affirmed the urgent need for a common vision, coordinated action and solidarity in the context of a rapidly changing and increasingly unpredictable regional security environment.

The main contents of the Workshop will focus on assessing and analyzing the situation in the East Sea and the region in recent times, the involvement and policy adjustments of relevant parties and major countries in the East Sea, discussing the rapid development of emerging technologies and the trend of politicizing marine technology.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/hoi-thao-bien-dong-lan-thu-17-chia-se-trach-nhiem-huong-toi-hoa-binh-333297.html