Hanoi hosts 18th international conference on East Sea maritime security

The 18th international conference on the East Sea opened in Hanoi, gathering approximately 300 delegates and 50 speakers from over 30 countries and territories. The forum addressed critical maritime issues through the themes of contestation, connectivity, and cooperation.

Key discussions centered on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982 as the essential legal framework for governing maritime activities, defining state rights, and ensuring freedom of navigation. Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Thi Hoang Van expressed Vietnam’s readiness to cooperate with ASEAN and international partners to maintain a stable and prosperous maritime space.

Other notable participants included Philippine Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Leo M. Herrera-Lim, who reaffirmed the Philippines' stance on the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award, as well as representatives from Australia and Canada. The conference also explored risks such as disruptions to transport routes, climate change, and the impact of artificial intelligence and undersea cable infrastructure on regional security.