Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam organizes ocean dialogue themed: "Sustainable marine development: Sharing the views of Vietnam and the EU"

     On the morning of August 19, 2020, the Diplomatic Academy in collaboration with the European Union’s Delegation (EU) in Hanoi and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Foundation (KAS) of Germany held an ocean dialogue with the theme "Sustainable marine development: Sharing Vietnam and EU’s perspectives ”. The dialogue is an opportunity to exchange views and practices on sustainable marine economic development and promote maritime cooperation -one of the top priority issues currently in Vietnam and the EU.

     About 150 delegates attended the event. There were experts, EU scholars and member countries, representatives from foreign missions in Vietnam, and numerous Vietnamese experts. At the workshop, international experts attended and spoke both directly and online/virtually.

     The workshop had 4 main sessions including: (i) Policy on sustainable marine development of Vietnam and the EU; (ii) Marine Environment Management; (iii) Sustainable blue seas economy; and (iv) New tendencies in terms of marine issues and the future of Vietnam-EU maritime cooperation.

     Speaking at the opening session, Director of the Europe Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dinh Toan Thang stressed that the Vietnamese government attached great significance to international maritime cooperation, especially with Vietnam's top important partners like the EU. Under the framework of the Vietnam-EU Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA), the two sides are committed to enhancing cooperation in the protection and preservation of the marine and coastal environment, and to promote effective management of marine resources towards sustainable marine development.

     Speaking at the opening session, Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam, said that the relationship between Vietnam and the EU had never become as deep and close as it is today, especially after both sides ratified party of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. This workshop brings together experts from Europe and Vietnam to share common perspectives and experiences in the field of Blue Growth, while contributing to clarifying the EU's marine policies. promoting stability and resolving maritime disputes.

      The Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam’s representatives, including Vice President In-charge of the Academy Dr. Pham Lan Dung and Vice President of the Academy Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, attended the workshop. In the first session on "Policy for sustainable development of the marine region between Vietnam and the EU", Ms. Pham Lan Dung directly coordinated the dialogue regarding the strategy of  Vietnam's marine economy sustainable development to 2030 and the vision to 2045. During this session, the EU representative shared an overview of the EU strategy on a sustainable “green economy” with specific examples of challenges and solutions for a sustainable marine economic development.

      Speaking at the closing session, Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, Vice President of the Diplomatic Academy, opined that the cooperation between the DAV, EU delegation in Hanoi and KAS at this workshop was a testament to the need for cooperation between Vietnam and the EU; at the same time it was an event of profound significance to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two sides. This event will continue to promote substantive and specific maritime cooperation between Vietnam and the EU in the coming time.

     Besides the delegates from Hanoi who directly attended the event, speakers from Europe and Vietnam’s coastal provinces presented their speeches and discussions online. COVID-19 pandemic control measures have been implemented based on relevant authorities’ recommendations.

Other photos at the workshop: