Vietnam represented at Int’l Oceanographic Commission Assembly’s session
VOV.VN - A delegation of representing the nation is currently attending the 32nd session of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) Assembly which opened on June 21 at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
As part of his address at the event, Assoc. Prof., Dr. Dao Viet Ha, director of the Institute of Oceanography under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and chairwoman of Vietnam’s National IOC Committee, spoke highly of the commission’s role as the UN's main co-ordinating body on ocean science issues. She affirmed that the nation always supports the IOC in terms of strengthening its role in promoting international co-operation for the conservation and sustainable use of seas and oceans.
As a member of the UNESCO Executive Board, the country co-sponsored the draft UNESCO Resolution regarding strengthening resources for the IOC's activities in a more sustainable manner.
The nation places great importance on the development of and greater international co-operation in maritime science and technology, considering it to be one of the main solutions to the implementation of the Strategy for sustainable development of the Vietnamese sea-based economy towards 2030, with a vision ahead to 2045.
She therefore called on countries to enhance international ties across all levels, with the needs of developing countries, especially vulnerable coastal ones, taken into account.
During the session which is due to last until the end of June 30, participants are expected to discuss the implementation of major programmes and initiatives moving forward, such as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development from 2021 to 2030. This is along with the State of the Ocean Report, the Global Ocean Observing System, and the Capacity Building Strategy, as well as IOC's contributions to the UN’s ocean governance.
The IOC boosts international co-operation in marine sciences to improve management of the ocean, coasts, and marine resources. Its enables its 150 member states to work closely together by co-ordinating programmes in capacity development, ocean observations and services, ocean science, tsunami warning, and ocean literacy.
Within the framework of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC), the Vietnam IOC Committee has led and participated in many regional projects on marine science, such as a research project on marine toxins and food safety, an ocean acidification research network project, and an initiative aimed at saving coral reefs.