On 16 October 2023, in Hanoi, the 2023 Vietnam - Japan marine economic policy dialogue program was held to implement the Memorandum of Understanding (signed on 8 October 2018) on cooperation in the field of marine and ocean policy between the Vietnam’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment with the Cabinet Office of Japan, on the occasion of the Vietnamese Prime Minister’s visit to Japan. This is also one of the practical activities to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan (1973 - 2023).

The 21st Century is the one of the ocean; "Seaward development" has become the main direction and an inevitable trend for all countries, including littoral and even landlocked ones. Vietnam and Japan both have large areas of sea; the marine economy contributes an increasingly large proportion in each country's economy, so exploiting and using marine resources effectively and sustainably not only serve to develop the economy and protect national interests, but also inherit the great values that marine resources bring about, creating a valuable and sustainable foundation for the survival of all mankind. Therefore, strengthening dialogue, improving the quality of building and implementing national marine policies and strategies is of important and urgent significance which is paid special attention by both countries.

Overview of the dialogue

In particular, at this dialogue, the two sides exchanged views and practices on marine management; policies, strategies, planning, and plans on exploitation and use of marine resources and protection of the marine environment. Delegates also heard reports and presentations about important areas, such as: overview of maritime policies and laws, and marine economic development of Vietnam; some difficulties and obstacles in investigating and surveying high sea for developing wind power; some issues of controlling, preventing and reducing marine environmental pollution; overview of Japan's marine management policy and the country's experiences in: blue ocean economy, policies to encourage offshore wind power, experience in preventing, detecting, and treating marine environmental pollution and the protection of marine ecosystems, etc. Through exchange and discussion, the Vietnamese side proposed some areas of cooperation with Japan to 2025, with a vision to 2030, including: experience sharing in coastal resource management, serving the amendments and supplementation to the Law on Marine and Island Resources and Environment; sharing experiences in monitoring, investigating and treating marine environmental pollution, oil spills, and ocean plastic waste; Coordination in the implementation of the programme to restore and regenerate marine coral reefs based on robotic applications, etc.

With the unexpectedly positive results of the dialogue, it is believed that in the coming time, Vietnam and Japan will see more practical and meaningful activities, contributing to strengthening connections and cooperation between the two countries. The results of cooperation with world countries, in general and Japan, in particular in the field of seas and oceans  are very important for us to successfully implement Resolution No. 48/NQ-CP , 3 April 2023 of the Government on "Strategy for sustainable exploitation and use of sea and island resources and environmental protection until 2030, vision to 2050" to soon make Vietnam a strong and rich nation from the sea with sustainable development, prosperity, safety, and security.

CAO VUONG