During a meeting this afternoon with Tomas Heidar, President of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh announced that Vietnam has selected and nominated a qualified candidate for the ITLOS judge position for the 2026-2035 term.

Prime Minister Chinh affirmed Vietnam’s strong support for the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), calling it the “constitution of the oceans” that provides the legal framework governing all maritime activities. He emphasized that UNCLOS forms the foundation for maintaining order, peace, and stability at sea, serving sustainable development of maritime areas, including the East Sea.

Vietnam consistently respects and abides by international law, including UNCLOS 1982, and seeks peaceful resolution of disputes, including maritime disputes, the Prime Minister reiterated.

He also underscored the important role ITLOS has played in recent years in helping countries peacefully resolve disputes related to the interpretation and application of UNCLOS. According to him, ITLOS serves as a fair platform where member states, regardless of size or power, can express their legal views and protect their legitimate maritime rights and interests.

The Prime Minister proposed that ITLOS continue supporting Vietnam in training legal professionals with a deep understanding of international law, especially the law of the sea. This would help Vietnam develop a highly qualified legal workforce capable of working in international environments, participating in dispute resolution, and serving within international and multilateral legal institutions.

He also acknowledged ITLOS’s acceptance of Vietnamese nationals into its staff and officially informed President Heidar that Vietnam had chosen and nominated a suitable legal expert for the judge position for the 2026-2035 term.

President Tomas Heidar praised the Vietnamese government’s cooperation in hosting the regional seminar titled “The Role of ITLOS in Resolving Disputes Related to the Law of the Sea” in Hanoi.

Heidar shared that Vietnam is an ideal location for such events, not only because of its geographic connection to the sea but also due to its longstanding commitment to UNCLOS 1982. These commitments are reflected in Vietnam’s active role in the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea and its early signing and ratification of the Convention.

Vietnam has ratified two key implementation agreements under UNCLOS: the 2006 Agreement relating to Part XI and the 2018 Agreement on fish stocks. It is also one of the first countries to sign the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).

President Heidar further appreciated Vietnam’s active support for ITLOS activities and the professionalism of its legal experts, especially through participation in hearings related to advisory opinions on climate change. He highly valued Vietnam’s nomination of an outstanding legal expert for the ITLOS judge position.

The ITLOS delegation visiting Hanoi included the President, Vice President, four judges, and the Tribunal’s Registrar. They collaborated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to co-organize the regional seminar on ITLOS’s role.

Established under the 1982 UNCLOS, ITLOS has jurisdiction to settle disputes concerning the interpretation and application of UNCLOS between states that have agreed to the Tribunal’s authority. It also addresses legal matters under other treaties between member states.

The Tribunal currently has 21 judges elected by the Convention's member states and, in its 30 years of operation, has handled over 30 maritime dispute cases. ITLOS plays a significant role in upholding the integrity of UNCLOS, clarifying legal issues, and promoting compliance with the Convention.

Tran Thuong