Vietnam has been elected Chair of the 35th Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (SPLOS 35)-a historic first for the country.

On June 23, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the 35th Meeting of States Parties to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) convened with participation from 170 member states, observer countries, heads of bodies established under the Convention, and relevant international organizations.

Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, head of the Vietnamese delegation, was unanimously elected as Chair of SPLOS 35 by the UNCLOS member states.

In his acceptance speech, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu highlighted recent progress in implementing UNCLOS and managing the world’s oceans, including the successful 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) in Nice, France (June 2025), and efforts to expedite the entry into force of the High Seas Treaty on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ).

He emphasized the growing threats facing oceans-marine pollution, climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion-and called on nations to uphold multilateralism, engage in constructive discussions, and propose practical solutions to enhance UNCLOS implementation and the effectiveness of its established bodies.

He reaffirmed the importance of UNCLOS-often called the “Constitution of the Oceans”-in maintaining maritime order and sustainably managing marine resources, thus contributing to global peace, stability, and sustainable development.

Speaking on behalf of the UN Secretary-General, Elinor Hammarskjöld, UN Deputy Legal Counsel, affirmed that 43 years after its adoption, UNCLOS remains the legal framework governing all activities in the world’s oceans.

The Convention’s universal value and integrity have been strongly reaffirmed at UN forums and mechanisms in recent years, including UNOC 3, the UN General Assembly’s Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (ICP), and the BBNJ Preparatory Commission.

Vietnam’s first-time election as Chair of SPLOS reflects the high confidence and trust the international community places in its leadership and diplomatic capacity within UN multilateral processes.

It also signifies global recognition of Vietnam’s constructive role in promoting UNCLOS implementation and advancing global ocean governance.

This achievement aligns with Vietnam’s strategic foreign policy goals outlined in Resolution No. 59 of the Politburo on international integration in the new era, and Conclusion No. 125 of the Secretariat on enhancing multilateral diplomacy to 2030.

SPLOS is the annual conference of UNCLOS member states. It serves as a platform for nations and observers to present positions and share updates on UNCLOS implementation, assess the performance of Convention-established bodies, and help shape the future direction of ocean law and maritime governance.

Vietnam has consistently participated in SPLOS meetings with a policy of fully respecting and implementing UNCLOS.

The Chair is responsible for presiding over plenary sessions, managing procedural and organizational matters in consultation with the Bureau, and overseeing decisions on administration, budgets, and activities of UNCLOS-established bodies.

The Chair also plays a central role in ensuring the conference runs effectively, orderly, and in accordance with established rules and procedures. In cases of complex or divergent views, the Chair guides discussions and encourages consultations and negotiations to find common ground. The term lasts one year, from the conference’s opening to the next Chair’s appointment.

Tran Thuong