Strengthening regional coordination in fisheries management and combating IUU fishing

At the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed the importance of enhancing coordination between Vietnam and neighboring countries in fisheries management and preventing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, considering this a regional task towards sustainable fisheries development and the early removal of the EC's "yellow card" on Vietnamese seafood.

On the morning of October 28, during his working program in Malaysia, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting with Vietnamese Ambassadors to ASEAN countries with adjacent seas including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and the Vietnamese Ambassador to ASEAN. The meeting focused on assessing the situation of regional cooperation, especially in the field of fisheries and IUU prevention - an issue that Vietnam and neighboring countries are paying attention to and promoting.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh works with Vietnamese Ambassadors to ASEAN countries with seas adjacent to Vietnam. (Photo: VGP)

At the meeting, the leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ambassadors reported to the Prime Minister on the results of bilateral cooperation, highlighting positive developments in joint patrols at sea, sharing fisheries data, exchanging information on IUU violations and protecting fishermen. ASEAN countries highly appreciated Vietnam's role in proactively promoting regional cooperation on fisheries management, protecting the marine ecological environment, as well as implementing the EC's recommendations to soon remove the "yellow card" on Vietnamese seafood.

The Prime Minister commended Vietnamese representative agencies in the region for their efforts to promote cooperation, maintain political-diplomatic dialogue and regular exchanges with maritime and fisheries management agencies of the host countries. The Prime Minister emphasized that ASEAN is a region of strategic importance to Vietnam, and it is necessary to continue expanding and deepening cooperation on sustainable fisheries development, focusing on improving monitoring capacity, traceability and promoting IUU compliance for fishermen.

The Head of Government requested Vietnamese representative agencies to proactively coordinate closely with countries in the region to deploy existing cooperation mechanisms, and propose new initiatives on management and conservation of marine resources, contributing to building a safe, cooperative and prosperous ASEAN maritime space.

The Prime Minister also proposed stepping up international propaganda about Vietnam's efforts, determination and results in combating IUU fishing, affirming that this is the region's shared responsibility in protecting the ocean and ensuring long-term livelihoods for fishermen.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during a meeting with President of the European Council Antonio Costa on October 27. (Photo: VGP)

Earlier, on the morning of October 27, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with President of the European Council Antonio Costa. At the meeting, the Prime Minister affirmed Vietnam's political determination and drastic efforts in combating IUU fishing, and requested the EC to soon send an inspection team to Vietnam to evaluate and remove the IUU "yellow card" for Vietnam's seafood exports. The Prime Minister shared that every week he directly chairs meetings with ministries, branches and localities to direct the work of combating IUU, from perfecting institutions, managing fishing vessels, controlling fishing activities to handling violations. Along with that, Vietnam is promoting international cooperation, including with Southeast Asian countries, to develop sustainable fisheries, enhance capacity for fishermen and businesses, and transition from exploitation to responsible aquaculture, adapting to green standards and global supply chains.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/tang-cuong-phoi-hop-khu-vuc-trong-quan-ly-nghe-ca-va-chong-khai-thac-iuu-217306.html