Opening session of the 17th International Scientific Conference on the East Sea

On the morning of November 3, the opening session of the 17th International Scientific Conference on the East Sea with the theme "Solidarity in Uncertainty" was held, organized by the Diplomatic Academy.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong, member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs , spoke at the workshop. (Source: Diplomatic Academy)

Attending the program were: Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong, member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Le Hai Binh, alternate member of the Party Central Committee, Permanent Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Mr. Nguyen Hung Son, Director of the Diplomatic Academy; along with Ambassadors, delegates from diplomatic missions, scholars and researchers.

Speaking at the Workshop, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong emphasized the significance of the Workshop held in Da Nang - a land whose name, in ancient Cham language, means "big river mouth", where the Han River flows into the sea, where the mainland opens up to the ocean. Since ancient times, generations of Vietnamese people have overcome the storms of the East Sea, connecting islands and shores, bringing not only goods but also the spirit of dialogue and a message of peace .

According to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, hundreds of years ago, Da Nang was a gateway for trade and a meeting point for many cultures. Today, Da Nang continues to be a miniature image of an open, creative and integration-ready Vietnam. The theme of this year's conference - "Solidarity in uncertainty" not only reflects today's international reality, but also expresses the aspirations of the times.

Overview of the Workshop. (Source: Diplomatic Academy)

Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong affirmed that Vietnam is steadfast in its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development. Vietnam attaches importance to maintaining peace and stability in the region and upholds the role of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Vietnam is committed to resolving all disputes by peaceful means, building trust and managing differences responsibly.

Vietnam is ready to cooperate with all partners to ensure that the seas and oceans are spaces for peace, stability and prosperity. Vietnam is proud to be one of the first 60 countries to ratify the Agreement on Biodiversity Conservation Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), affirming its firm commitment to international law and multilateralism.

Vietnam continues to support ASEAN’s central role, actively contributes to ASEAN-led processes, and participates in negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), aiming to ensure peace, stability and governance based on common rules and norms in the East Sea. Vietnam also introduces candidates and sends experts to participate in international judicial mechanisms, including the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), promoting the fair and progressive interpretation of UNCLOS.

The Deputy Foreign Minister expressed his hope that this year's Conference will inspire new ways of thinking, new ideas and new determination to handle differences peacefully and uphold the principles of international law.

“From the city where rivers meet the sea, we together maintain our faith, faith in an East Sea of ​​peace, stability and cooperation. Like hundreds of rivers flowing to the ocean, although pursuing different paths, we still meet in a common future of harmony, respect and responsibility,” Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong emphasized.

Director of the Diplomatic Academy Nguyen Hung Son said that this year's conference was honored to welcome nearly 50 speakers and 300 delegates from more than 30 countries and territories, along with hundreds of delegates attending online. (Source: Diplomatic Academy)

Meanwhile, Director of the Diplomatic Academy Nguyen Hung Son affirmed that over the past 16 years, the Diplomatic Academy has made efforts to create a forum for dialogue and connection, contributing to promoting peace, stability and prosperity, not only in the East Sea, but also in the regional and global maritime space.

Every year, the East Sea Conference brings together leading experts and prestigious analysts from an increasing number of countries and territories, to help better understand new and multi-dimensional developments in the region considered the focal point of the Indo-Pacific.

According to the Director of the Diplomatic Academy, this year's conference was honored to welcome nearly 50 speakers and 300 delegates from more than 30 countries and territories, along with hundreds of online participants. Mr. Nguyen Hung Son warmly welcomed the newest member of the ASEAN family - Timor Leste, who attended this forum for the first time as an ASEAN member state, along with the first participation of experts from Pacific island countries.

The Director of the Diplomatic Academy also expressed his pleasure in welcoming young delegates from the Diplomatic Academy, the University of Danang and Duy Tan University, along with eight young international leaders, with the expectation of bringing new and creative perspectives to the issues of the times. In addition, reflecting the increasing interest and contributions of Ambassadors, this year the Conference introduced a new discussion session called “Ambassadors' Lounge”.

British Foreign Secretary Seema Malhotra sent a video message at the Workshop. (Source: Diplomatic Academy)

UK Foreign Secretary Seema Malhotra said that the upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership opens up many opportunities for cooperation between the UK and Vietnam, including in the field of maritime security. The UK affirmed its enduring commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, as well as to peace, prosperity and stability in the region.

The British Foreign Secretary affirmed that the importance of the South China Sea cannot be denied, as one-third of global maritime trade passes through this sea. “Millions of people depend on it for their livelihoods. What happens here affects us all. Therefore, it is vital to keep the sea lanes open and safe – for our common prosperity,” said Ms. Seema Malhotra.

The British diplomat expressed his recognition of ASEAN's central role in maintaining regional stability and continued support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and the ASEAN Maritime Report.

Ms. Seema Malhotra welcomed the negotiations between China and ASEAN on the COC, and affirmed that the UK will continue to cooperate to contribute to building a peaceful and stable East Sea.

Delegates take souvenir photos. (Source: Diplomatic Academy)

Within the framework of the program, the first discussion session on the situation and developments in the East Sea was coordinated by Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. In it, speakers presented the uncertain situation in the regional sea, posing many challenges for the parties to handle related to economic activities and security.

Speakers stressed the importance of applying UNCLOS and maintaining the rules-based international order, and called for collective efforts among parties to come up with a unified approach so that UNCLOS truly serves as a global constitution for the oceans.

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/phien-khai-mac-hoi-thao-khoa-hoc-quoc-te-ve-bien-dong-lan-thu-17-333201.html