Dr. Nguyen Manh Cuong, Member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs made statement at the 17th South China Sea International Conference, which opened in central Da Nang City on November 3.

The conference themed "Unity in uncertainties" brought together Dr. Nguyen Manh Cuong, Member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hai Binh, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; along with nearly 50 distinguished speakers who are leading experts from Vietnam, the region, and around the world.

The event, co-organized by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and its partner institutions, also gathered more than 300 participants, including 11 ambassadors from nearly 40 countries and territories, and over 200 online attendees.

At the opening session, Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, stated that after 16 years of organization, the annual international conference on the East Sea (internationally known as the East Sea) has become a hub for promoting growth and connectivity, contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity, not only in the East Sea but also across the broader regional and global maritime domain.

In the current context of rapid, seismic, and uncertain global shifts, he emphasized that enhancing dialogue is essential to deepen mutual understanding, build trust, reduce risks, and dispel ambiguities arising from miscalculations or misunderstandings. Such dialogue, he noted, helps strengthen common perceptions of the “rules of the game” and codes of conduct, thereby connecting nations and communities in the region and beyond.

In his keynote address, Dr. Nguyen Manh Cuong, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, commended the choice of this year’s conference theme "Unity in uncertainties" which, he said, captures both the realities of our time and a shared aspiration.

The Deputy Minister said that the world today is “more fragile than ever,” facing global challenges such as conflicts and wars, while long-standing principles established after World War II, including multilateralism, respect for international law, and cooperation for common interests, are showing signs of erosion. The Asia-Pacific, once the world’s most dynamic region, is not immune to these “winds of uncertainty,” and the East Sea serves as a mirror reflecting both regional and global transformations.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong emphasized that even amid uncertainty, opportunities remain for nations to reinforce the key drivers of unity- dialogue, cooperation, and respect for international law. He reaffirmed that Vietnam consistently pursues an independent, self-reliant, peaceful, cooperative, and development-oriented foreign policy. The country attaches great importance to maintaining regional peace and stability, while underscoring the central role of international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnam, he affirmed, is committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes, the building of trust, and the responsible management of differences, and stands ready to work with all partners to ensure that shared waters remain seas of peace, stability, and prosperity.

Vietnam takes pride in being among the first 60 countries to ratify the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), reflecting its enduring commitment to international law and multilateralism.

Addressing the conference, British Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Indo-Pacific and Minister of State at the UK Department for Education, Seema Malhotra welcomed the upgrading of the Vietnam-UK relationship, noting that the UK-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will open up new opportunities for cooperation, including maritime security. She reaffirmed her nation’s long-term commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, in support of regional peace, stability, prosperity, and international principles.

Malhotra stressed that the East Sea plays a vital role in maritime trade, livelihoods, and regional prosperity. She expressed serious concern over recent dangerous incidents in the area, warning that they risk escalating tensions. The UK opposes any acts of aggression or behavior that undermine international law, underscoring that maritime zones in the East Sea must be defined and resolved peacefully in accordance with UNCLOS.

She reaffirmed the UK’s respect for and recognition of ASEAN’s centrality in maintaining regional stability, as well as its continued support for both the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and the ASEAN Maritime Outlook. The UK also backs the Code of Conduct (COC) negotiation process for the East Sea, which, she stressed, must uphold UNCLOS and reflect the legitimate interests of all parties.

The UK, she added, will continue to demonstrate its commitment to peace and stability in the region and in the East Sea, maintain a naval presence, and enhance cooperation with regional partners.

The 17th South China Sea International Conference is taking place on November 3-4, focusing on key issues including developments in the East Sea, major-power strategies and competition, emerging maritime technologies, the leadership role of ASEAN, and the importance of UNCLOS in ensuring maritime stability.

A new feature of this year’s conference is a dialogue session among Ambassadors to Vietnam, which centers on the theme of shared responsibility for peace. On the sidelines, the Young Leaders Program continues to bring fresh perspectives from the next generation of scholars on East Sea issues through a special session titled The Power of Youth: Strengthening Solidarity in Times of Uncertainty.

This year’s conference is being held in Da Nang, one of Vietnam’s most dynamic and strategically located coastal cities. The event also serves as an opportunity to promote Da Nang’s image and potential, while reaffirming the city’s support and commitment to advancing international cooperation, safeguarding maritime sovereignty, and boosting marine economic development.

South China Sea International Conference highlights strategic trust and co-operation

VOV.VN - The situation in the South China Sea is at an important junction and requires concerned parties swiftly identify the situation in an objective manner, increase transparency in the regional strategic environment, whilst consolidating both their trust and cooperation.