HCMC – Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called for stronger global cooperation and investment in three critical areas to safeguard the world’s oceans, emphasizing the sea is not only a source of life and natural resources but also a space that connects humans and nature across nations.
Speaking at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum held in Monaco on June 7-8, PM Chinh said that oceans are essential to sustainable development and must be a shared responsibility of all countries, regardless of their geographical or political status. The forum is part of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3), taking place on June 9-13 in Nice, France.
As the keynote guest of the forum, Chinh highlighted Vietnam’s commitment to protecting the ocean, calling the event a forum of solidarity, where nations and the private sector come together to invest in regenerating the ocean economy.
With over 3,000 kilometers of coastline, Vietnam considers the sea not just a geographical feature but part of the nation’s cultural identity and soul, Chinh said. “Effective and sustainable development of the marine economy is an objective requirement, an essential demand, and a strategic choice for Vietnam to rise and realize its goal of becoming a strong maritime nation and a developed country with high income by 2045.”
Chinh raised concerns about the paradox in global development: while the ocean covers 70% of the Earth’s surface, it receives the lowest investment among the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. To address this imbalance, the Vietnamese leader proposed a three-pronged approach:
- Boost investment in marine science and technology: This includes promoting research, technology transfer, and shared access to a global ocean data system.
- Mobilize and utilize resources effectively for a sustainable ocean economy: Under the model of “State-led, enterprise-pioneered, people-accompanied, and international organizations-supported,” Vietnam is ready to pilot a blue finance ecosystem.
- Enhance intercontinental and international connectivity and global ocean governance: Chinh advocated for a system based on “the UN at its core, international law as foundation, and global cooperation as the driving force,” while expressing Vietnam’s willingness to actively contribute to building growth poles and a global maritime economic network in the strategic East Sea.
PM Chinh reaffirmed Vietnam’s strong commitment to being a reliable partner in global efforts to protect the oceans, an active participant in maritime cooperation mechanisms, and a responsible contributor to equitable and sustainable green finance initiatives.
In his closing remarks, French President Emmanuel Macron praised the contributions of participating countries, including Vietnam, and echoed PM Chinh’s perspective by emphasizing that ocean protection is not merely an environmental issue, but also a political, economic, scientific, and ethical matter.
Prince Albert II of Monaco concluded the event by recognizing the forum’s success in promoting clear commitments and actionable solutions for sustainable ocean governance, including the advancement of marine-friendly fisheries and biotech-driven blue economic initiatives.
This marks PM Chinh’s first participation at a UN Ocean Conference and his first visit to France since the two nations elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in October 2024, following President Macron’s visit to Vietnam in May.
