That was Deputy Foreign Minister Du Hung Viet’s speech at the 15th International Scientific Conference on the East Sea on October 25, the theme of which was: “Narrowing the gray sea, expanding the blue sea”.
The conference took place in Ho Chi Minh City from 25 to 26 October, attended by about 50 speakers, who are distinguished experts from about 20 countries from different continents, about 70 representatives of foreign representative agencies. Vietnam abroad (including about 20 ambassadors and consulates-general).
In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister Du Hung Viet said that over the past 15 years, the East Sea Conference Series has been creating an open, candid and friendly environment to gather regional and international experts to enhance productivity. Strengthen common understanding and narrow differences.
He hopes that this series of seminars will continue to be an important, open, inclusive and constructive regional maritime security forum, a meeting place and a point of intersection between the interests of India, across the ocean to the Pacific and beyond.
The theme of Deputy Foreign Minister Du Hung Viet’s speech at the 15th International Scientific Conference on the East Sea on October 25 was: “Narrowing the gray sea, expanding the blue sea”.
Deputy Minister Du Hung Viet said the global focus is currently shifting to the Indo-Pacific region, which has become the “epicenter” of global development and a vital locomotive for global recovery and future prosperity.
Compared with 15 years ago, the situation in the East Sea is becoming increasingly more complex, with many new “gray areas” emerging that need to be clarified. Furthermore, the East Sea is still a region that offers many potential opportunities for cooperation.
The Deputy Minister stressed that only through cooperation can the East Sea change its color from “grey” to “blue” towards peace and sustainable development. To do this, it is important to respect and comply with international maritime law, as expressed in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
Many international experts gathered to participate in the conference
According to Deputy Minister Du Hung Viet, in recent times, Vietnam and ASEAN countries have always strived towards a regional order including a stable, rules-based maritime domain.
Vietnam strongly supports the realization and effective implementation of the ASEAN Vision on Indo-Pacific and the Vision for Maritime Cooperation recently approved by ASEAN. At the same time, Vietnam always supports new initiatives for common goals through bilateral, multilateral and new mechanisms.
Sharing about the reason for choosing the theme of this year’s conference, Pham Lan Dung, Acting Director of the Diplomatic Academy, said that the organizing committee hopes that experts will jointly analyze the current situation of the East Sea and the region, thereby General government rules will be clear. Identify policies that promote trust and cooperation, and shed light on behaviors that negatively impact the rules-based system and increase tensions.
Pham Lan Dung, Acting Director of the Diplomatic Academy, spoke at the event.
According to Ms. Dung, the purpose of “narrowing the gray sea” is to make the maritime domain more transparent and peaceful. “Expanding the Blue Zones” aims to recognize the potential of the ocean and its future by promoting good practices in key areas such as green transition, related technologies, research and investment in wind energy, marine energy conversion…
The workshop will also focus on exchanges and discussions on how maritime forces and regional mechanisms can contribute constructively towards the goal of a “greener” and “more peaceful” East Sea.
On the first day of the conference there will be 4 discussion sessions of experts on the main theme “Narrowing the Gray Sea”.
There are many new ideas and organizations at the conference this year. For the first time, the conference devoted a discussion session between representatives of the coast guard forces of some countries along the East Sea.
On the first day of the conference, there will be 4 discussion sessions of experts on the main theme “Narrowing the Gray Sea” including “East Sea: The Journey of the Last 15 Years”, “Big Countries and Big Responsibilities: Cooperation” and “Cooperation”. “Coexistence in the context of increasing competition?”, “Multilateral approach to the East Sea: a new trend?”, “Is a legal framework needed for legal conflict?”.
Expected on October 26, the conference will revolve around the theme “Expansion of Blue Waters”, with 4 discussion sessions “The Coast Guard’s Role in Strengthening Cooperation in the East Sea”, “Time for Decision: Conventional Energy or Renewable Energy?” , “Essential Infrastructure: New Strategic Implications of Technology”, “Voices of the Next Generation”.
