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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Cong Gia Khanh, rector of University of Economics and Law, speaks at the seminar looking into 30 years of the enforcement of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnam reaffirms commitment to UNCLOS 1982 implementation

Upholding the great value of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Vietnam, a coastal state, continues to pursue and implement the convention as an important commitment to protect maritime rights and national security, heard a seminar in Ho Chi Minh City on November 15.

The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which came into force on November 16, 1994, is regarded as a Constitution for the seas and oceans by the international community. It serves as the primary legal framework for global maritime actions and cooperation at the regional, inter-regional, and global levels.

Vietnam, which was actively involved in the negotiation process and signed the convention as one of its 107 initial signatories, ratified UNCLOS in 1994. To date, 168 countries have endorsed the convention.

In his remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Cong Gia Khanh, rector of University of Economics and Law, emphasized the importance of UNCLOS as the second most important international treaty after the UN Charter. He highlighted its essential role in shaping international maritime governance to address issues related to seas and oceans.

However, given the rapid advancements in science and technology, especially in maritime and aviation technology, as well as the growing impacts of climate change, UNCLOS requires updates to promote its universal international legal value and ensure its relevance and effectiveness.

“We need to fully recognize and identify the challenges of the future, and the adjustments that may occur, in order to prepare for actions by Vietnam to best protect its sovereignty, as well as its legitimate rights and interests,” said Khanh.

Taking the floor, Mai Ngoc Phuoc, Editor-in-Chief of the Law newspaper of Ho Chi Minh City, emphasized that Vietnam is a coastal country located in the East Sea, with sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over the Paracel and Spratly Islands. This is one of the world’s busiest and most promising maritime areas, but it is also a region that has been the subject of long-standing disputes for several decades, cited VOV.

Not only Vietnam, but other ASEAN countries, as well as many from Europe and Latin America, pay particular attention to the East Sea, considering it a key geopolitical and geoeconomic center in the Asia-Pacific region, he stressed.

Amidst the turmoil created by the competition between major powers and the significant shifts in the international political and security landscape, he said Vietnamese leaders have repeatedly affirmed that Vietnam does not take sides, and instead it chooses justice, the rule of law, and international law, for the sake of peace, stability, and development, benefiting all parties involved.

“UNCLOS 1982 is one of the most correct and strategic choices Vietnam has made…… In the 21st century, with the many global upheavals, the value of the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea is even more evident, and Vietnam continues to pursue it,” affirmed Phuoc.

Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Huu Phuoc, deputy head of the Faculty of Economic Law at University of Economics and Law, pointed out that climate change was not considered during the UNCLOS negotiations in the 1970s and 1980s. This gap presents significant challenges in the 21st century, particularly as climate change impacts become more apparent. He stressed the need for Vietnam to push forward initiatives that strengthen international cooperation in addressing climate change, including through sustainable maritime management.

At the seminar, scholars emphasized Vietnam’s recognition of the sea and oceans critical role in the country’s peace, security and national development. Vietnam has consistently respected and implemented the provisions of the convention, developed its national legal framework to establish maritime boundaries and manage maritime resources, and collaborate with neighboring countries for sustainable use of these resources.

Vietnam has made significant contributions and garnered international recognition for its initiatives related to the convention. Notably, it was instrumental in co-founding the UNCLOS Group of Friends at the United Nations, alongside 11 other countries, representing more than 100 states. In addition, it has played an active role in negotiating and contributing to the drafting of international legal frameworks aimed at sustainable conservation and use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, which are vital for global marine conservation efforts.

Following the plenary session, the seminar held two parallel discussions on the themes UNCLOS as the Constitution for Seas and Oceans of the International Community and 30 Years from Commitment to Implementation of UNCLOS by Vietnam.

The seminar was held by the University of Economics and Law under Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City, in collaboration with the Law newspaper of Ho Chi Minh City, to mark 30 years of the enforcement of the convention.

ASEAN-Japanese Youth Program delegation visits HCM City

Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan on November 14 received the 48th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme (SSEAYP) delegation as part of their ongoing visit to the southern city from November 14-17. Hoan called SSEAYP a symbol of friendship and cooperation between ASEAN nations and Japan, and encouraged the young delegates, who were chosen for their outstanding achievements, to help strengthen the friendship and collaboration, for Asia's peace and prosperity, and the world's sustainable development.

The official expressed his hope that each delegate will share their country’s success stories while bringing the culture and people of HCM City closer to international communities, according to VNA.

Delegates at the event (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam officially joined SSEAYP in 1996, after becoming a member of ASEAN in July 1995.

Since then, the Vietnamese contingent has left a profound and special mark on the programme.

In 2024, Vietnam celebrates its 25th year of participation in the programme. The National Committee on Youth of Vietnam has hosted the SSEAYP ship in HCM City 18 times.

Vietnam expects IMF to provide more macroeconomic policy consultations

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) continue to accompany and provide macroeconomic policy consultations with Vietnam to address challenges and promote sustainable development in the context of a rapidly changing global economy.

Chinh made the request during his meeting in Hanoi on November 15 with Paulo Medas, head of the IMF delegation, on a routine assessment mission in Vietnam.

He appreciated the IMF’s assessments, forecasts, and policy recommendations regarding Vietnam’s economic performance in 2024, as well as the outlook and risks for 2025, noting that the IMF’s insights are crucial reference points for formulating macroeconomic management policies.

According to the PM, despite facing significant external impacts and challenges in the global economy, Vietnam has achieved important results in socio-economic development, particularly in public investment, foreign investment attraction, state budget management, monetary and fiscal policies, and trade.

He highlighted the country’s ongoing monitoring of global developments and its appropriate policy responses, prioritizing growth and boosting production. Measures such as reducing loan interest rates, issuing bonds for strategic infrastructure projects, and offering tax relief to businesses have been implemented to ensure food and energy supply, diversify markets, and enhance capital market development.

The PM reiterated Vietnam’s commitment to restructuring the economy toward rapid and sustainable growth, driven by science-technology, and innovation. He emphasized the importance of enhancing labor productivity, overcoming institutional obstacles to mobilize development resources, and fostering both traditional and new growth drivers. The goal is to achieve higher growth rates in the coming decades while building an independent and self-reliant economy that actively engages in deep, substantive, and effective international integration.

He appreciated the substantial and effective cooperation between Vietnam and the IMF, and expected the financial institution to continue supporting and maintaining macroeconomic policy dialogue with Vietnam, VOV reported.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives Paulo Medas, head of the IMF delegation on a routine assessment mission in Vietnam, in Hanoi on November 15. (Photo: VGP)

Medas for his part agreed with the Prime Minister’s views and noted that the IMF recognizes Vietnam’s impressive development achievements over the past years, enabling the country to overcome various shocks. He praised Vietnam’s expected results for 2024, highlighting its status as one of the highest-growing economies in the world, with strong exports and good foreign investment attraction.

Medas also commended the effective policies implemented by the Vietnamese government, including maintaining stable inflation, which he said contributed to Vietnam’s remarkable growth compared to other countries.

However, he cautioned that Vietnam still faces significant external challenges, such as rising protectionism that could negatively impact the global economy and various uncertainties affecting financial markets, making emerging economies more vulnerable.

Medas indicated that investors highly value and are very interested in bringing resources to Vietnam, including in the bond market. Acknowledging that Vietnam has significant fiscal space to support economic growth, he recommended that the country proactively manage external risks, strengthen the stability and health of the banking system and capital markets, continue reforms to boost productivity, sustain long-term growth, and create a favorable environment for investors.

The IMF is always ready to support Vietnam, he affirmed.

Quang Binh, Lao province promote border protection cooperation

Representatives of the central province of Quang Binh and Khammouane province of Laos held talks in the Vietnamese locality on November 14, during which they signed a cooperation agreement on border protection.

The event was attended by Doan Ngoc Lam, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Quang Binh People’s Committee, and Keo-Oudone Bouthsingkhone, Deputy Governor of Khammouane.

During the talks, Lam reviewed the progress of border cooperation between the two provinces. He highlighted their strong collaboration in defense, security, and border management at both government and professional levels. Regular annual meetings between provincial authorities and border agencies have been maintained, ensuring a good working relationship.

Both sides agreed on the importance of popularizing and educating the public, especially border residents, about national border laws and the agreements signed between the two countries, cited VNA.

An overview of the talks (Photo: VNA)

The Quang Binh - Khammouane borderline has ensured political stability and social order, with the line and markers protected. Both sides have cooperated effectively in joint patrols to safeguard the border, including the first-ever joint patrol between the Border Guard Command of Quang Binh and the Military Command of Khammouane.

In addition to border security, the provinces have worked closely to combat crime, particularly cross-border drug trafficking. They have also focused on preventing illegal immigration, unregistered marriages, and other transnational issues in the border area. Local authorities on both sides have created favorable conditions for cross-border trade and investment, contributing to economic and social development.

However, challenges remain, particularly with the illicit trade and smuggling of drugs and other banned substances across the border. Despite efforts, economic development in the border area remains limited, with many residents relying on unsustainable livelihoods such as forest resource extraction.

Deputy Governor Keo-Oudone Bouthsingkhone voiced his hope that both provinces would continue to implement their agreements effectively, further strengthening the solidarity between Vietnam and Laos.

The two provinces signed an updated memorandum, pledging continued close and effective collaboration between their authorities and border protection forces. They will maintain regular meetings and information exchanges at various levels, and continue joint efforts to prevent illegal activities such as smuggling, wildlife poaching, and environmental violations.

Additionally, both provinces will focus on infrastructure development and cultural exchanges to enhance economic opportunities and improve the quality of life for border communities.

Vietnam shows increasingly dynamic presence on international stage: Brazilian Ambassador

Vietnam's participation in the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro next week is of great importance, manifesting the country's increasingly dynamic presence on the international stage.

Brazilian Ambassador to Vietnam Marco Farani made the above statement during his interview with the VGP.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will attend the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro and pay a working visit to Brazil from November 16-19 at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Farani said, the invitation addressed to Prime Minister Pham was directly formulated by the Brazilian President in September last year, during the Vietnamese leader's official visit to Brazil, and later reiterated during the visit to Vietnam by the Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira, earlier this year.

The G20 is the first forum for international economic cooperation, launched in 1999, and since then it has become a strong mechanism for economic coordination that brings together the world's largest world economies and collaborates to strengthen, through dialogue and understanding, the global architecture. The G20 brings together 85 percent of the world's GDP, 75 percent of global trade and two thirds of the world's population.

This year, Brazil has assumed the presidency of the G20 and launched the theme "Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet", which reflects the great concern with the sustainable development of economies, and especially with the reduction of social inequalities in the world.

As the presidency of the G20, Brazil has proposed three pillars that will guide the debates during the summit including social inclusion and the fight against poverty, energy transition and sustainable development, and reform of institutions and global governance.

The Brazilian government views with great respect and admiration for Vietnam's economic dynamism, its active insertion on the international markets with the signing of free trade agreements with several countries around the world and its positive contribution to the major issues on the international agenda.

"Vietnam, an example of economic resilience, progress and innovation, could not fail to be present at this discussion forum", emphasized the diplomat.

He expressed his hope that Vietnam will bring important contributions and alternatives to issues of economic and social nature that will be the core of the discussions at this summit.

Vietnam is an example of historic resilience and reconstruction and its experience over the years may contribute with alternatives to challenges and crises that impact the economy and social development, especially in the Global South economies, noted the Ambassador.

According to Farani, Vietnam has become one of the fastest growing economies in Asia, and a self-sufficient country in food production, which has raised the income level of the population and engaged in efforts to overcome the energy transition process.

In the international arena, the country has participated actively in several multilateral organizations and it has been consistent in the defense of peaceful solutions for conflicts based on the principles of the international law framework, according to VGP.

Brazilian Ambassador to Vietnam Marco Farani.

Meanwhile, it illustrates Vietnam's commitment to issues of great importance on the international stage, such as sustainability, poverty reduction and a more equitable distribution of decision-making power in the world. The Brazilian government recognizes Vietnam's maturity in dealing with these issues.

Strategic cooperation pillars in Vietnam–Brazil relations

Regarding achievements in Vietnam-Brazil relations, the Ambassador said, this year, both nations celebrate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The second visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Brazil over the last two years testifies a relevant degree of progress in mutual trust built between these two countries, which reaffirmed positive prospects for deepening bilateral relations in important areas of bilateral cooperation.

The current relations between Vietnam and Brazil have been promoted via the building up of constructive and harmonious dialogues.

More recently, the bilateral relations have reached a new momentum with the increase in the exchange of high-level visits.

A number of agreements in several cooperation areas in such areas as education, agriculture, and defense, were signed.

Multisectoral seminars were also held in the area of trade and investment while cultural activities were organized to celebrate the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties, which contributed to bringing both countries' peoples and cultures even closer.

Vietnam and Brazil have the conditions to further enrich and diversify bilateral cooperation, stable economies and policies, a growing population, low inflation rates, high employment rates and a commitment to innovation, environmental sustainability and social inclusion.

In terms of trade, the bilateral trade hit US$7.1 billion, with prospects for reaching US$10 billion by 2030. The economies have similarities, but also a high degree of complementarity, which helps to attract entrepreneurs from various sectors and increase the prospects for new opportunities in this sector.

In the future, both countries have ample room to boost cooperation in three strategic sectors, including food production; energy transition and science and technology; and security and defense, highlighted the Ambassador.

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