Workshop on the Role of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Resolving Disputes Related to the Law of the Sea

Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu and Chief Justice of the ITLOS Tomas Heidar attended the Workshop on the Role of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Resolving Disputes Related to the Law of the Sea”.

The workshop was attended by 7 representatives from ITLOS, including the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice, judges and clerks of the Court, along with more than 70 delegates who are legal experts from 15 countries in the Asian region, officials working in the maritime sector of central ministries and agencies of Vietnam and representatives from foreign diplomatic agencies in Hanoi. Many reporters from domestic news agencies and television stations came to report at the workshop.

In his opening speech at the Workshop, ITLOS Chief Justice Tomas Heidar said that the Workshop is part of a series of events held in many regions around the world to promote understanding of dispute settlement mechanisms within the framework of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), thereby discussing the important role of ITLOS in resolving disputes related to the interpretation and application of the Convention. The Workshop aims to share information with experts from governments on the procedures prescribed in Part XV of the Convention, focusing on the jurisdiction of ITLOS and on how cases are accepted and resolved by the Court.

ITLOS Chief Justice Tomas Heidar highly appreciated the Vietnamese Government in general and the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in particular for supporting and accompanying ITLOS in organizing this regional workshop in Vietnam. He shared that Vietnam is a suitable location to organize this event, because Vietnam is a country with close ties to the sea, not only in terms of geographical location but also in Vietnam's long-term commitments to the 1982 UNCLOS. Vietnam actively participated in the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea and was one of the early countries to sign and ratify the Convention; Vietnam ratified two implementing agreements within the framework of UNCLOS, namely the Agreement on Implementation of Part XI of UNCLOS in 2006 and the Agreement on Fish Stocks in 2018.

Vietnam is also one of the first countries to sign the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement).

ITLOS Chief Justice Tomas Heidar delivered the opening remarks at the Workshop on the Role of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Resolving Disputes Related to the Law of the Sea.

According to Mr. Tomas Heidar, one of the great achievements during the UNCLOS negotiation process is the dispute settlement mechanism to ensure effective implementation of the Convention, in which ITLOS is an independent judicial body established and is the center of the dispute settlement mechanism within the framework of UNCLOS.

Since its establishment, ITLOS has enjoyed the confidence of its member states and proven its effectiveness as a forum for dispute resolution. To date, the Tribunal has accepted 30 cases and issued 3 advisory opinions on issues related to the Law of the Sea.

In his welcoming speech at the workshop , Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu said that this regional workshop took place in a special and meaningful context for Vietnam, as 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of national reunification, the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day and the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnamese Diplomatic Service. The country and people of Vietnam always understand and cherish the precious value of peace. Although peace and cooperation are still the dominant trend in international relations, many disputes continue to exist, many security and non-traditional challenges have emerged, leading to profound impacts on countries including Vietnam.

Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu attended and spoke at the Workshop on the Role of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in Resolving Disputes Related to the Law of the Sea.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu affirmed that in that general context, the birth of UNCLOS 1982 opens a new era in ocean governance. Widely recognized as a comprehensive legal framework regulating all activities at sea and in the ocean, UNCLOS aims to maintain peace, stability and legal order at sea and in the ocean. On the basis of the Convention, the birth of the ITLOS creates momentum for a mechanism to resolve maritime disputes in accordance with international law.

Over the past 30 years, ITLOS has resolved more than 30 complex cases, making outstanding contributions not only to protecting the integrity of the Convention, maintaining and shaping the legal order at sea, but also providing new solutions in addressing emerging ocean issues.

As a member state of UNCLOS, with a long coastline, Vietnam always complies with international law and supports the promotion and enhancement of international cooperation to serve the goal of making the country a strong maritime nation, developing a sustainable economy based on the sea, on the basis of implementing Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW, dated October 22, 2018, of the 8th Central Conference, Session XII, "On the Strategy for Sustainable Development of Vietnam's Marine Economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045". Vietnam's commitment to ITLOS and UNCLOS is not only demonstrated through statements but also through specific actions.

Permanent Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu emphasized the importance of maintaining legal order at sea, affirming the central role of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnam actively participates in international forums, promulgates legal documents in accordance with UNCLOS and supports the universalization of the Convention. Vietnam's nomination of a candidate for the position of Judge of the ITLOS Court demonstrates its desire to contribute expertise and demonstrate its leading role in the development of international maritime law. In the context of the world facing new and complex maritime challenges, from strategic competition to climate change, the role of UNCLOS and the ITLOS Court is more important than ever. Understanding the role and procedures at ITLOS, as well as international cooperation in compliance with the principles of UNCLOS, will help ensure that the ocean is a region of peace, cooperation and sustainable development.

The regional workshop “The role of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in resolving disputes related to the law of the sea” was held over two days, May 5-6, including 3 sessions focusing on discussing topics revolving around procedures, jurisdiction to resolve disputes within the framework of UNCLOS in general and ITLOS in particular, typical precedents and ending with a roundtable discussion among participating delegates.

Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu and Chief Justice of ITLOS Tomas Heidar took a photo with delegates attending the Workshop.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/hoi-thao-vai-tro-cua-toa-an-quoc-te-ve-luat-bien-trong-giai-quyet-tranh-chap-lien-quan-den-luat-bien-313286.html