Hanoi hosts 15th Sea Dialogue on BBNJ Agreement implementation

The 15th Sea Dialogue opened in Hanoi on September 18, 2026, focusing on the implementation of the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). The event aims to translate commitments regarding the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in international waters into concrete national, regional, and global actions.

Organized by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, the South China Sea East Sea Research Foundation (FESS), the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, the dialogue brought together over 140 delegates. Participants included international representatives from 10 countries, foreign diplomatic missions, and experts from various Vietnamese ministries, research institutes, and universities.

During the opening, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam emphasized that the BBNJ Agreement must be implemented consistently with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). She noted that effective implementation requires a foundation of international cooperation and scientific technology, starting at the national level. The dialogue aligns with Vietnam's Resolution No. 20-NQ/TW, which seeks to develop the country into a strong maritime nation through modern ocean governance.