Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivers a keynote speech at the 2nd plenary session of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, June 9, 2025. Photo: VGP

Speaking on behalf of 10 ASEAN Member States, Pham reaffirmed that ASEAN upholds the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which remains the constitution of the ocean, setting out legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out.

ASEAN expects that the 3^rd United Nations Ocean Conference would galvanize unity, secure bold ocean commitments, forge strategic partnerships, and catalyze transformative action for sustainable ocean action, stressed Pham.

He called for faster and more drastic actions with the collective efforts of nations, regions and the entire world to conserve and use blue ocean in a more sustainable manner.

To achieve that, Prime Minister Pham suggested the need for a scientific approach that is inclusive, people-centered, and comprehensive.

From that perspective, Pham put forward six key directions:

First, policy making should be rooted in scientific evidence combined with traditional knowledge.

It is neccesary to deepen our understanding of marine ecosystem to fully access economic, social and environmental impact and leverage indigenous knowledge. This would ensure harmony between marine economic development and conservation of marine biopersity as well as preservation of people's lifestyles, cultural traditions, and identities.

Seond, it is essential to promote science an technology, innovation and digital transformation as a new driver for sustainable marine economic development.

Third, the international community should untilize resourcesfor developing the marine economy. The State plays a facilitating role, bussinesses take the lead, the people actively participate and benefit from this process, international partners and financial institutions provide support. Public-private partnerships should be actively promoted.

Fourth, an integrated cross sector approach to ocean and marine governance should be adopted.

Fifth, it is vital to foster inter-regional, cross-border and transcontinental connectivity, establishing a network of blue marine economic hubs.

Sixth, it is essential to uphold international solidarity and cooperation in conservation and sustainable development of the oceans and seas.

The United Nations should play a central coordinating role in initiatives and cooperation programs. International law should serve as a coordinated action among nations based on fairness, equality and mutual benefits.

With the consistent policy of being a friend, an active and responsible member of the international community, Viet Nam has been working closely with partners to take comprehensive and strong actions at various levels to realize the goal of conserving and sustainablly using the marine environment, noted Pham.