Vietnam presented its document of ratification for the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), commonly known as the High Seas Treaty, at the ‘Special Treaty Event’ organized by the United Nations (UN) on Monday in Nice, France.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L, 4th, front row) and other delegates pose for a photo at the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC 3), held from June 9 to 13, 2025, in Nice, France. Photo: Vietnam News Agency
The event, aimed at promoting the signing and ratification of the High Seas Treaty, was held as part of the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC 3), which opened the same day and will run until Friday.
This is the third treaty negotiated and signed within the framework of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, reaffirming the convention’s role as the overarching legal framework governing all ocean-related activities.
During the Special Treaty Event, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son presented Vietnam’s ratification document to UN Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and UN Legal Counsel Elinor Jane Britt Hammarskjöld, officially confirming the Vietnamese government’s approval of the High Seas Treaty.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh joined global leaders at the event alongside representatives from 35 countries that have signed or deposited their instruments of ratification or approval of the treaty.
Vietnam was among the first nations to sign the treaty on the opening day in 2023 and swiftly completed its domestic procedures to become a party.
The presence of PM Chinh and a high-level delegation at the event underscores the Vietnamese government’s tangible support for the global vision of peaceful, prosperous, and sustainably managed oceans.
At UNOC 3, the international community expressed optimism that at least 60 countries would soon complete ratification, triggering the treaty’s entry into force within the year.
The treaty will enter into effect 120 days after the sixtieth instrument of ratification or approval has been deposited.
The BBNJ Agreement marks a historic milestone in international efforts to protect the marine environment and advance the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 14, which focuses on conserving and sustainably using oceans, seas, and marine resources.
Areas beyond national jurisdiction cover over 60 percent of the ocean’s surface and are rich in biodiversity, including rare genetic resources that hold significant economic and scientific value, especially for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
(Source: Vinh Tho - Thanh Hien/Tuoi Tre News)
This year’s World Oceans Day on June 8 is themed 'Wonderful Oceans: Sustaining What Sustains Us', while World Environment Day is on June 5 with the theme: 'Beat Plastic Pollution'.
Many activities such as cleaning up beaches will be launched in response of the World Ocean Day on 8 June 2025. (Photo: VNA)
The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will organise series of environmental and maritime themed events to respond World Ocean Day and UN World Environment Day in June.
This year’s World Oceans Day on June 8 is being held under the banner 'Wonderful Oceans: Sustaining What Sustains Us', while World Environment Day on June 5 is with the theme: 'Beat Plastic Pollution'.
Speaking at the press conference launching the The Sea and Islands Week of Vietnam 2025, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Minh Ngan said that the world continues to be challenged by environmental pollution, climate change, natural resource declination and biological imbalance, especially in terms of plastic pollution and ocean waste.
The Sea and Islands Week of Vietnam 2025 is an opportunity for every Vietnamese person to express their love for the sea, for the nation, through concrete actions, responsible commitment and long-term dedication, he said.
Through a series of practical activities with wide-reaching impact, the ministry called on all Vietnamese people, from urban to rural areas, from the mountains to the islands, from the youngest children to the elderly, to join in daily activities to help build a greener Vietnam and protect the ocean.
The national launch in response to World Oceans Day, will take place on June 6 in Dong Hoi vity in the central province of Quang Binh, with the theme 'Green Technology for a Sustainable Ocean'.
This will be an important opportunity to honour the ocean as the source of life and a driving force for national development; to promote digital transformation, innovation in protecting resources, and the sustainable development of the marine economy; to connect policies, technology and embark on practical actions.
Alongside the launch, a series of workshops, exhibitions, and thematic activities will be arranged including exhibitions about offshore wind power, the application of AI in marine environment communication, investment networking and showcasing marine economic products.
Community activities in local areas, especially in coastal areas, will be carried out continuously from late May until the end of June, in various forms including beach clean-ups, the development of green marine parks, launching digital media contests on ocean themes, on-site environmental education stations, technological solutions for collecting floating waste and the 'Blue Ocean Youth' movement.
The national rally for the World Environment Day will take place on June 1 in Ha Long city, the northern province of Quang Ninh.
The Action Month for the Environment will be launched next month with a range of innovative models including 'Turning Waste into Money' – transforming environmental protection into economic value and public awareness, showcasing creative recycling products introducing green livelihood models and organising large-scale community events to spread the green message.
In tandem with this major event, the nationwide campaign 'United to Reduce Plastic Waste – Spreading the Green Lifestyle' will also be carried out featuring a series of practical activities such as: a youth forum, circular economy exhibitions, a 'No Single-Use Plastics Day', green markets, supermarkets, schools, and green offices./.
(Vietnam+)
As the first and only female Director of the Institute of Oceanography since its foundation 102 years ago, and the Chairwoman of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of Vietnam, with her dedication to the research and study on marine toxins and seafood safety in Vietnam and the Western Pacific for social security and sustainable marine economic development in the region, contributing to the protection of national security, sovereignty and interests at sea, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Viet Ha, Director of the Institute of Oceanography, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, is one of 20 typical collectives and outstanding individuals honored by the program.
With the theme "20 years of inspiring Vietnam's strength", this Vietnam Glory Program affirmed the 20-year persistently journey of Trade Union organization, continuously discovering, honoring and spreading advance examples, making an important contribution to nurturing and promoting patriotic emulation movements, encouraging civil servants, public employees, and workers nationwide to be creative, devote themselves to build a prosperous and happy Vietnam.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Chairman of the Vietnam Farmers' Union Luong Quoc Doan presented the token and certificate of merit to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Viet Ha
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Tuan Anh, Vice President of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Viet Ha and the outstanding collectives and individuals honored at the Vietnam Glory 2024
Leaders of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and its Trade Union and colleagues from the Institute of Oceanography congratulated Assoc Prof. Dr. Dao Viet Ha
On behalf of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, its Vice President, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Tuan Anh presented flowers to congratulate Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Viet Ha at the event
(Source IOC Vietnam)
