On June 21, 2023, the 32nd session of the UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) General Assembly opened at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris. The Vietnamese delegation attending the session included Assoc. Prof., Dr. Dao Viet Ha, Director of the Institute of Oceanography, Chairwoman of the IOC Vietnam, Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to UNESCO, together with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Speaking at the plenary session, Dr. Dao Viet Ha welcomed the report of Dr. Vladimir Ryabinin, IOC Executive Secretary, highly appreciated the role of the IOC as the UN body for ocean science. She affirmed that Vietnam always supports the IOC to strengthen its role in promoting international cooperation for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans. As a member of the UNESCO Executive Council, Vietnam has co-sponsored the UNESCO draft Resolution on increased and more stable resources for IOC's activities.

Dr. Ha emphasized, Vietnam attaches great importance to international cooperation and development of marine science and technology, considering it as one of the key solutions to implement the Strategy for sustainable development of Vietnam’s sea-based economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045. She informed about Vietnam's efforts in developing a sustainable ocean economy and facing ocean-related challenges, as well as the cooperation projects and activities Vietnam has taken part within the framework of IOC/WESTPAC. She called on countries to strengthen international cooperation at all levels, taking into account the needs of developing countries, especially vulnerable coastal states.

The session took place in the context of international community's growing interest in promoting diverse and substantive international cooperation on the sea and efforts to realize the UN's sustainable development goals, including the goal 14 on the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and seas. Recent developments include the adoption of the Document on the Conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, the negotiation process of the global agreement on plastic pollution, including ocean plastic waste.

During the remaining time of the session, delegations will continue to discuss the implementation of major programmes and initiatives in the time to come, such as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), State of the ocean report, Global Ocean Observing System, Capacity Building Strategy, IOC's contributions to the UN’s ocean governance… The elections of IOC’s Officers and members of its Executive Council will also take place during the session, on June 28, 2023.

Photo of the Vietnamese Delegation during the Session

Dr. Dao Viet Ha, Head of Vietnam delegation, delivered her speech at the plenary session

(Information source: IOC Vietnam)