UN Secretary-General: Respect UNCLOS to address root causes of maritime security

Overview of the high-level open discussion at the Security Council, which emphasized the role of UNCLOS 1982. (Source: VNA)

Stepping up action for common security

On May 20-21, at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters, the UN Security Council (UNSC) held a high-level open debate on the topic "Enhancing maritime security through international cooperation for global stability".

The meeting was chaired by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, with the participation of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, senior leaders of many countries and many representatives of countries, regional and international organizations.

In his opening remarks, UN Secretary-General Guterres expressed concern about the instability in many regions; emphasizing that security on the oceans is being threatened by many traditional and non-traditional security challenges, from piracy, transnational crime, maritime disputes to cyber attacks, sabotage of undersea infrastructure and increasing geopolitical tensions.

Many attacks on ships, along with various forms of smuggling, terrorism, and illegal activities, continue to occur in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Mediterranean, Gulf of Guinea, and many other areas around the world.

The UN Secretary-General called on the international community to step up joint action based on respect for international law, especially UNCLOS 1982, to address the root causes affecting maritime security and build partnerships at all levels.

Strengthening substantive cooperation

Speaking at the meeting, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, shared his opinions and affirmed his strong support for the UN Secretary-General's call, while proposing a number of orientations that need to be focused on in responding to current maritime security challenges.

Accordingly, Vietnam emphasized the need to enhance substantive cooperation among countries, especially promoting joint patrols in areas with many uncertainties, investing in surveillance technology, sharing data and supporting capacity building for developing countries; continuing to strengthen the coordination mechanism, effective coordination between UN agencies as well as with regional mechanisms in implementing measures to ensure safety, freedom and security of navigation, in which the UN Security Council is the agency with the leading responsibility for ensuring international peace and security in general and measures to enhance maritime security in particular.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang speaks at the discussion session. (Source: VNA)

In addition, countries need to continue to update and strengthen existing legal frameworks to more effectively respond to emerging challenges to maritime security.

The Ambassador, Head of the Vietnamese Delegation, affirmed that UNCLOS is a comprehensive legal framework regulating all activities at sea; all policies, regulations and conduct of countries at sea must be consistent with international law, especially the UN Charter and UNCLOS.

The Ambassador called on countries to fully comply with their obligations under the Convention, respect the sovereignty, interests and legitimate economic activities of coastal states, resolve disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law, respect diplomatic and legal processes, ensure freedom, safety and security of navigation and aviation, and refrain from taking actions that complicate the situation.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang reaffirmed that as a coastal country, Vietnam supports all efforts and initiatives to promote maritime security and safety, and has therefore actively cooperated with countries and partners in and outside the region in preventing crime and ensuring security in the East Sea.

Vietnam has made active and substantive contributions to regional mechanisms and forums led by ASEAN, as well as regularly maintained joint patrols and information exchange channels with neighboring countries such as China, the Philippines, and Malaysia, thereby promoting cooperation in law enforcement and responding to emergencies at sea.

At the same time, Vietnam reaffirmed its commitment to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and continue to work with other countries to promote negotiations to build an effective, substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, especially UNCLOS.

The discussion session showed a broad consensus among countries on the urgent need to accelerate collective action to protect the common maritime space, ensuring safety and sustainability for activities at sea - an increasingly key factor for economic development, peace and stability on a global scale.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tong-thu-ky-lien-hop-quoc-ton-trong-unclos-de-giai-quyet-tan-goc-cac-nguyen-nhan-tac-dong-den-an-ninh-bien-315136.html