Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet joined over 300 senior officials, researchers, and scholars from more than 30 countries worldwide at the 6th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) in Dhaka, Bangladesh from May 12-13, VNA reported Monday.

6th Indian Ocean Conference “Peace, Prosperity, Partnership for a Resilient Future” co-hosted by India in Dhaka on May 12-13, attended by Vietnam's Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet, who addressed session on 'Rise of a peaceful Indo-Pacific for a resilient global future'. Source: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India

Themed “Peace, Prosperity & Partnership for a Resilient Future”, the 6th IOC discussed issues related to politics, economy, security, environment, and climate change, contributing to creating a premise for countries in and outside the region to promote cooperation, toward building an environment of peace, development, and prosperity.

In his speech at the plenary session, the Vietnamese official shared his assessment of the situation in the Indian Ocean and Asia-Pacific regions, especially the major challenges facing the region due to the impact of conflicts, disputes, and strategic competition among major powers, as well as non-traditional security issues.

He conveyed a three-point message for a peaceful, prosperous, and solid future of the region, stressing the need to build an open and inclusive regional architecture based on fundamental principles of international law with ASEAN playing the central role; enhancing mutual understanding and respect, building trust and conduct an independent and self-reliant foreign policy in the context of competition among major powers; and promote cooperation and partnership, especially maritime cooperation, through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms and a comprehensive approach.

The Vietnamese representative also emphasized the importance of respecting and complying with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS); and the necessity to respect the sovereignty, sovereign rights, jurisdiction, and legitimate maritime interests of each country in accordance with international law, and resolve disputes and differences through peaceful measures in line with international law.

Viet highlighted ASEAN’s efforts in implementing the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and building a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law.

He proposed strengthening cooperation and connectivity among countries in the Indo-Pacific region, especially with ASEAN member countries, in promoting sustainable development, turning the blue-sea economy into a motivation for sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and addressing non-traditional challenges.

Prime Minister of Bangladesh, President of Mauritius, Vice President of Maldives, External Affairs Minister of India addressed the inaugural session. Source: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India

In the framework of the conference Deputy FM Viet had bilateral meetings with State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Tharaka Balasuriya, Australian Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts and Secretary (East) of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Saurabh Kumar.

During their meeting, Viet and Balasuriya affirmed that Vietnam and Sri Lanka will continue to coordinate and support each other at international forums, and agreed to soon organise meetings of important bilateral cooperation mechanisms; strengthen cooperation on Buddhism and spiritual tourism; consider the opening of air routes connecting the two countries, and seek solutions to expand two-way trade and investment in the coming time.

Deputy FM Do Hung Viet had bilateral meetings with State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Tharaka Balasuriya. Photo: TG&VN

Meeting with Viet, Tim Watts affirmed that cooperation with Vietnam is always Australia's priority in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks. For his part, the Vietnamese official suggested the two countries fully tap the growth momentum of bilateral trade; facilitate cooperation in agriculture, labor and tourism; and expand cooperation to new areas of mutual benefit such as climate change response, digital economy, and energy transition.

During his meeting with the Indian official, Deputy FM Viet affirmed Vietnam's consistent policy of attaching importance to traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with India. He suggested the two sides strengthen the exchange of high-ranking delegations, bolster cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, culture, people-to-people, and security - defense; and closely coordinate at multilateral forums.

Saurabh Kumar said India will continue to further expand cooperation with Vietnam, especially in trade, oil and gas, and defense, and at international forums.

The second Vietnam-Bangladesh political consultation takes place in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka on May 14. Photo: TG&VN

Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet and his Bangladeshi counterpart Masud Bin Momen May 14 also co-chaired the second Vietnam-Bangladesh political consultation in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka.

They agreed to coordinate with each other in building a long-term vision for bilateral relations, while increasing the exchange of delegations at all levels, strengthening existing cooperation mechanisms, and considering the resumption and upgrade of the Joint Committee on Economic, cultural, and Science-technology cooperation.

The two sides reached a consensus on strengthening collaboration in defense-security, economy-trade-investment, education, fisheries, and breeding while promoting exchange in culture and tourism.

Bangladesh currently is the second largest trade partner of Vietnam in South Asia. Two-way trade rose four times in 10 years from about USD 350 million in 2012 to USD 1.5 billion in 2022 and is moving towards the goal of USD 2 billion set by their leaders.

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