Workshop on implementing UNCLOS to address sea-based challenges

The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) workshop on implementing the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other international instruments towards address emerging maritime issues was held in Nha Trang city in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa on February 26.
Participants at the workshop (Photo: VNA)

Participants at the workshop (Photo: VNA)

The event was co-organised by Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with the participation of over 80 officials and experts on marine management from 20 ARF member countries.

It was a follow-up event of two previous ARF workshops on the UNCLOS held in 2011 and 2014 in the framework of the ARF working group on maritime security, as well as an effort to realise the Hanoi Plan of Actions to Implement the ARF Vision Statement and ARF Work Plan on Maritime Security 2018-2020.

The two-day workshop facilitated ARF members’ discussions on ways to effectively implement international maritime documents, especially the 1982 UNCLOS, in order to address challenges in current maritime management and seek cooperation opportunities among ARF members.

The workshop’s co-chairs - Director of the Department of Law and International Treaty under Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Tuyet Mai and Deputy Director of the Legal Division under Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Justin Whyatt -emphasised the importance of the 1982 UNCLOS as a comprehensive legal framework regulating the legitimate rights and interests of countries – including coastal, archipelagic, and landlocked nations – in using seas and oceans, exploiting and preserving marine resources, and enhancing maritime cooperation between nations.

Discussions covered a wide range of topics, including challenges for traditional marine security in the region, emerging issues in the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, climate change, and regional and international cooperation in the field.

Established in 1994, the ARF is a multilateral forum between the 10 ASEAN member nations and their partners to discuss peace and security issues with the main target of building trust and increasing dialogues in the region with ASEAN playing the central role.

The forum currently has a total of 27 members, including 26 countries and the European Union. Both Vietnam and Australia were founding members of the forum.

VNA

Other News

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

The International Day of Older Persons 2026, themed “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” highlights the need to develop healthcare, social security, labour-market and social-service systems in response to increasing life expectancy. For Vietnam, rapid population ageing is not only a demographic issue but also a development challenge.

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Both sides agreed to keep educating officials, Party members, youth union groups and the broader public, especially young people in both provinces, on the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos.

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

The captain discovered water entering ballast tanks No. 4, 5 and 6 on the port side, causing the vessel to list slightly. Initial assessments indicated that the vessel may have struck an underwater rock formation while underway.

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright is entering an entirely new phase. As AI becomes increasingly capable of generating text, summarising books, mimicking writing styles and producing content at enormous speed, ensuring copyright protection is becoming more difficult.

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Prolonged heavy rains from September 13–17 have caused flooding and landslides, damaging homes, crops, roads and infrastructure in Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa provinces, with local authorities mobilising forces for emergency response.

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh city's Public Security Department warned individuals, agencies and businesses not to publicly disclose or provide personal information or bank account details on social media, and urged organisations and businesses to strictly comply with regulations on protecting customers’ personal data.

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

The continued recovery of martyrs’ remains provides valuable information and further evidence of those who fought and sacrificed their lives for national independence and freedom. It also encourages search teams to persist in locating fallen soldiers still lying on former battlefields, contributing to the effective implementation of the 500-day campaign and reflecting Vietnam’s long-standing tradition of gratitude.

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam will launch nationwide screening for five groups of school-related diseases and health conditions among students from preschool through high school from 2028, including overweight and obesity, refractive errors, spinal curvature, oral diseases and mental health disorders.