Vietnam appreciative of UN adoption of high seas treaty

The agreement under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) was adopted at the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction held on June 19in New York.

The majority of UN member states have applauded and voiced strong support for the adoption of the high seas treaty, whilst also showing their intention to sign and ratify the deal swiftly so that it can take effect early and be implemented both fully and effectively.

Cuba, representing the group of developing countries, described the adoption as a success of multilateralism and developing countries thanks to their tireless efforts and strong solidarity.

Upon addressing the conference, Ambassador Giang, permanent representative of Vietnam to the UN, affirmed that the success reflects the conference’s strong commitment and determination to achieve an instrument for conserving and sustainably using marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdictions.

The treaty will further consolidate the 1982 UNCLOS, the “constitution of the oceans” and a comprehensive legal framework for all sea-related activities, promote multilateralism, thereby being a new landmark in the development of international law. This is along with contributing to the implementation of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and helping to reach Sustainable Development Goal 14 on conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources, he added.

The UN adoption of the agreement can be considered of great significance, especially for those who directly engage in negotiations, including the inter-sectoral delegation of Vietnam led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, since it comes as a result of a long and complicated negotiation process.

The 1982 UNCLO stipulates the freedom of navigation and fishing on the high seas beyond exclusive economic zones of states, noting that seabed resources on the continental shelf of a state are the common heritage of mankind. It also outlines a mechanism for licensing and distributing benefits from seabed mining on the high seas, but has yet to note a similar mechanism for marine genetic resources.

The high seas treaty, consisting of 17 chapters with 76 articles and two appendices, develops the UNCLOS with regard to this aspect. It is therefore the third treaty to enforce the 1982 UNCLOS, following the UN Fish Stocks Agreement and the Agreement on Part XI of the UNCLOS.