The 7th Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum opened in Da Nang on December 6, bringing together more than 90 governmental officials and scholars from ten ASEAN nations and eight ASEAN Dialogue Partners. 

7th Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum opens in Da Nang

In his opening remarks, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung said sea and ocean play a crucial part in every nation around the world, and maritime cooperation has always been given high priority in regional cooperation mechanism, programs and plans.

Dung, who is also head of Viet Nam's ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM), acknowledged progresses in the regional maritime cooperation over the past years, including initiatives to cope with marine pollution, illegal fishing, and sustainable exploitation of marine resources.

In addition, he named multiple challenges facing the region, including transnational organized crime at sea, marine pollution, ocean acidification, security and safety of fishermen and seafarers and escalating tension at sea, particularly in the East Sea.

These challenges are hampering potential and prospects for maritime partnership in the region, the Deputy FM said.

Therefore, he called on the participants to propose solutions to address these problems, enhance the role of the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum), and promote co-ordination and co-operation on sea-related issues in the region.

The participating nations should also review the adherence to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and discuss ways to ensure all maritime activities on regional waters comply with it, he added.

The event is scheduled to include an open discussion on the 25-year enforcement of the 1982 UNCLOS, and a closed session to exchange views on the regional maritime security and partnership and to consider recommendations and new initiatives on maritime issues.