Maritime security, cooperation top ASEAN forum’s agenda
(VOV) -Representatives from Southeast Asian nations have begun discussions on maritime security and cooperation at a regional meeting which opened in Danang city, central Vietnam, on August 27.
The ASEAN Maritime Forum, the fifth of its kind, aims to highlight ASEAN’s key role in boosting maritime cooperation, building confidence, and promoting solidarity in the region.
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The AMF-5 is also expected to ensure security, safety and freedom of navigation in the East Sea in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) towards formulating a Code of Conduct in the region (COC).
Addressing the opening ceremony, Nguyen Vu Tu, deputy head of SOM ASEAN Vietnam at the forum, affirmed that maritime cooperation is an increasingly important issue that is given high priority by ASEAN member countries, given the current context.
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The goal of the meeting is to strengthen maritime cooperation through dialogues and consultations, contributing to security, safety and freedom of navigation in the region, he said.
During the two-day event, delegates review the realisation of initiatives adopted at the previous forum, discuss ways to increase cooperation in such areas as humanitarian aid, natural disaster mitigation, management and protection of marine ecosystems, biodiversity and fisheries resources, including fishing cooperation on an equal basis.
As scheduled, the 3rd expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF-3) will also take place in Danang city on August 28, examining 20 years of implementing the 1982 UNCLOS in the region.
It will be attended by representatives from 10 ASEAN member states and 8 partner countries, namely the US, China, Russia, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.