This is the speech of Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu at the opening session of the conference on Legal and Technical Issues on Advisory Opinions of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on climate change, held appeared on the morning of March 16 in Ha Long city.
From March 16-17, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinated with the Government of the Republic of Vanuatu to organize a Workshop on Legal and Technical Issues on ICJ's Advisory Opinions on Climate Change. Attendees at the conference included representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vanuatu Delegation in New York, representatives of Vietnamese agencies, representatives of governments of countries in the Asia-Pacific region, academics and lawyers. international professor.
The seminar was organized to introduce an overview of the birth and significance of the ICJ Advisory Opinion procedure on climate change based on Resolution 77/276 dated March 29, 3 of the General Assembly of the United Nations. United Nations.
At the workshop, delegates discussed key legal aspects of the Advisory Opinion procedure, the contributions that Asia-Pacific countries can bring, as well as technical support to countries. countries to effectively participate in the Advisory Opinion procedure that the ICJ is currently handling.
Previously, the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 77/276 by consensus. Accordingly, the General Assembly requested the ICJ to provide advisory opinions on the responsibilities of countries in the fight against climate change. Vietnam and Vanuatu are two of the 18 countries in the core group promoting this resolution. According to ICJ regulations, UN member states have until March 22, 3 to comment, before the court officially issues its opinion in 2024.
 |
Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu spoke at the opening of the conference
Speaking at the opening of the conference this morning, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu said that unique geographical features, with a large coastal area, make Vietnam especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, in Ha Long Bay, a world natural heritage, also a conference venue, is no exception. Therefore, Vietnam attaches great importance to cooperation with countries and international organizations in common efforts to respond to environmental challenges and climate change.
“The United Nations General Assembly resolution recognizes that climate change has different impacts on each country, so the burden and responsibility of responding must be shared fairly and equally. Participating in the ICJ's advisory opinion procedure is a huge opportunity for developing countries to join the global effort to respond to climate change, promote the rights of vulnerable countries and shape development. development of international environmental law", said the Deputy Minister.
According to the Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the conference is an opportunity for legal experts from countries in the region to discuss, seek ideas, and consolidate arguments to ensure national interests in responding to climate change. , has just responded to the legal questions being considered by the ICJ, thereby considering the possibility of appropriate response and participation by States in the advisory opinion procedure.
In addition, the event can create a networking forum, promote cooperation between international legal experts in the region, and strengthen the voice of Asia-Pacific countries in dealing with international legal experts. global problem.
Speaking at the conference, Mr. Arnold Kiel Loughman, Minister of Justice of Vanuatu, said that challenges from climate change such as rising sea levels, extreme weather patterns, marine pollution, and declining biodiversity Depression is threatening the lives, cultures and even the existence of many peoples.
 |
Delegates attended the conference.
“Implementing effective measures to respond to climate change is the moral responsibility of the international community. This is also the goal that this conference aims for," Mr. Loughman said.
Representatives of the countries attending the conference highly appreciated the efforts of Vietnam and Vanuatu to organize the event, creating an opportunity for legal experts from regional and international countries to discuss frankly and substantively. exchange experiences and support each other in the process of completing proposed submissions to the ICJ.
“The united and consistent stance of developing countries on the topic of climate change is of great significance, ensuring that the most important aspects of the responsibilities of countries in responding to climate change are recognized. review, through which I hope to help the ICJ issue an advisory opinion with strong legal impact," said Ms. Myrna Agno-Canuto, representative of the Philippine Department of Justice.
According to Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, about 80 countries have submitted submissions to officially participate in the ICJ's advisory opinion procedure to date. This number turns the advisory opinion procedure on climate change into the largest-scale case that the ICJ has ever handled, and shows the important role that ICJ opinions play in the issue of change. climate.
“Actively promoting and participating in advisory opinion procedures at the ICJ clearly demonstrates Vietnam's role as a responsible member of the international community, attracting support from developing countries. . The process at the ICJ also shows the international community's respect for Vietnam's role and contribution to climate change, including strong commitments recently made at international forums." , Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang affirmed.
To assist countries in making submissions to the ICJ advisory opinion procedure, a number of technical assistance workshops have been organized in other regions of the world. Last year, Fiji was the host country for the Pacific regional conference. In February 2, a technical support workshop for Caribbean countries was also held in Grenada.
