Đà Nẵng, November 04, 2025 – The Europe Today: Việtnam’s foreign policy continues to be guided by the principles of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation, and development, with a strong emphasis on maintaining regional stability and upholding international law, particularly in all maritime activities.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Mạnh Cường reaffirmed these commitments while delivering the keynote address at the 17th International South China Sea Conference (referred to as the East Sea by Việt Nam), held under the theme “Unity in Uncertainties.” He emphasized that Việt Nam stands alongside global partners to ensure the seas remain shared spaces of peace, stability, and prosperity.
“The theme of this year’s conference reflects both the realities of our era and our shared aspirations,” Cường stated. “We live in a time when uncertainty has become a constant, yet unity remains the foundation for navigating these challenges.” He further highlighted Việt Nam’s role as one of the first 60 nations to ratify the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction, underscoring the country’s strong commitment to international law, multilateralism, and peaceful dispute resolution.
Addressing global challenges such as climate change and environmental degradation, the Deputy Minister noted their impact on human security and livelihoods, calling for enhanced cooperation and dialogue underpinned by respect for international law. He reiterated the importance of peace and stability in the South China Sea, stressing the relevance of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in resolving disputes through peaceful negotiation.
Nguyễn Hùng Sơn, Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Việt Nam, highlighted the conference’s role as a vital platform for dialogue and collaboration, contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity across the South China Sea and the broader Indo-Pacific region. He noted that the event has become a hub for leading scholars and experts to assess evolving maritime dynamics and strategic trends, which have significant implications for Southeast Asia and beyond. Sơn also welcomed Timor-Leste as a new ASEAN member and the participation of experts from Pacific Island nations for the first time.
In a video address, Seema Malhotra, the UK’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Education, reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s enduring commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. She stressed the importance of maintaining open and secure trade routes through the South China Sea, which handles one-third of global maritime trade, and expressed concern over recent incidents that have heightened regional tensions. Malhotra underscored the UK’s support for ASEAN-led efforts, including the expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum and ongoing negotiations between China and ASEAN on a code of conduct in the South China Sea.
Hosted by the Diplomatic Academy of Việt Nam, the two-day conference from November 3–4 brought together over 300 participants, including diplomats, policymakers, and domestic and international experts, alongside 200 online attendees from 40 countries. Discussions covered maritime technologies, strategic competition among major powers, ASEAN’s leadership role, and the enduring significance of UNCLOS in maintaining stability and cooperation at sea.
