13th Ocean Dialogue explores new frontiers of high, deep seas

Addressing the hybrid event, DAV Vice President Dr.Nguyen Hung Son reiterated the negotiation process leading to the adoption of an agreement under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This agreement focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ).

Affirming that UNCLOS remains, after 30 years, a beacon for activities at seas and oceans, Son wished that the dialogue would help stakeholders gain a deeper understanding of the BBNJ and foster mutual understanding between scientists and legal experts. This, he said, would enable Southeast Asian countries to better prepare and offer new recommendations to promote cooperation.

The event featured four panel discussions focusing on major contents and prospects of the BBNJ Agreement, new prospects of the regulations on deep seabed exploitation, opportunities and challenges for enhancing cooperation in areas beyond national jurisdiction, and legal and policy recommendations for cooperation in the exploitation and conservation of those areas.

Director General of the DAV’s East Sea Institute Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh highlighted four key areas where the BBNJ can support the implementation of UNCLOS in the coming time. These include: defining key terms, establishing cooperative responsibilities regarding marine resources and technology transfer, creating a clearinghouse mechanism for information sharing, facilitating cooperation, and following periodic monitoring mechanisms to enhance capacity.

About new aspects of the BBNJ, Dr. Sarah Lothian from the University of Wollongong, Australia, said the key is a vision, a long-term dialogue among stakeholders focused on technology transfer, encouraging developed countries to share marine technology with developing nations.