UNCLOS is universal: VN ambassador

December 07, 2017 - 10:23

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is universal and unified, stated Ambassador Nguyễn Phương Nga, head of Việt Nam’s mission to the UN.

Ambassador Nguyễn Phương Nga, head of Việt Nam’s mission to the UN attends the plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly’s 72nd session. — Photo thethaovanhoa.vn

NEW YORK — The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is universal and unified, stated Ambassador Nguyễn Phương Nga, head of Việt Nam’s mission to the UN. 

She made the remark at a plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly’s 72nd session which convened in New York on Wednesday (local time) to discuss item 77 on the UN agenda regarding oceans and the law of the sea. 

Nga urged countries to respect and implement their duties to ensure peace, stability, and sustainable development of oceans and marine resources for people worldwide, including future generations. 

Concerning the East Sea (South China Sea) issue, the diplomat said Viet Nam calls on parties involved to restrain themselves and settle conflicts by peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, to respect diplomatic and legal processes, and to continue their full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea. 

Việt Nam welcomes the adoption of the framework for a code of conduct (COC) in the East Sea of ASEAN and China, Nga noted, suggesting the sides build a feasible and legally-binding COC in accordance with the 1982 UNCLOS. 

At the meeting, participants also stressed the importance of the UNCLOS, which, they said, regulates activities at sea and serves as a comprehensive legal framework to manage and use marine resources in a sustainable and fair manner, and to resolve disputes peacefully. — VNS

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