UNCLOS Group of Friends agrees to advance multilateralism, int’l cooperation
New York (VNA) – Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of
Vietnam to the United Nations, chaired an ambassadorial-level meeting of the 12 founding
countries of the Group of Friends on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in New York on May 31 to review their past activities and
launch future tasks.
Ambassadors
shared the view that despite various challenges such as COVID-19 pandemic and
emerging global issues, the UNCLOS Group of Friends, with its 115 member
states, has maintained regular activities and diversified forms of exchanges
since its establishment.
Specifically,
the group has held various dialogues and discussions on topics related to the UNCLOS
1982, shared understanding and practical experience in ocean governance, raised
public awareness of the UNCLOS 1982 adherence, promoted the use of oceans for peaceful and sustainable purposes, and coordinated efforts to elevate its role
and contributions in the UN forums. Its efforts and activities have been highly
welcomed by friends and the UN.
On the occasion,
they debated the group's future orientations as important events on maritime
and ocean issues at the UN are to be held, such as the Meeting of States
Parties to UNCLOS 1982 (SPLOS 33) and the adoption of the Agreement on the Conservation
of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).
The diplomats
vowed that the Group will continue actively upholding its role, diversifying its
operating methods and persistently pursue its objectives, particularly in the
context of advancing multilateralism and international cooperation, which are
becoming increasingly essential.
Initiated by
Vietnam and Germany in 2020, the UNCLOS Group of Friends is an informal
exchange and coordination mechanism among countries, particularly at the UN,
aimed at collaborating on areas of shared interest.
Its founding
members include Argentina, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Jamaica, Kenya, the
Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Senegal, South Africa and Vietnam. To date, the
Group has 115 member states representing all geographic regions./.