From June 5 to 14, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation will participate in the third UN Ocean Conference, aimed at advancing the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. During the trip, the Prime Minister will also conduct bilateral activities in France and pay official visits to Estonia and Sweden.

The trip is made at the invitation of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, French President Emmanuel Macron, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

France and Costa Rica will co-host the third UN Ocean Conference in Nice from June 9 to 13, under the theme “Scaling up ocean action based on science and innovation for the implementation of Goal 14.” The event aims to galvanize collective efforts to protect and sustainably manage oceans, seas, and marine resources.

The conference will bring together heads of government, UN agencies, intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions, NGOs, civil society, academia, the scientific community, and the private sector.

Plenary sessions will be held in the mornings, during which UN member states will make national statements affirming their commitments to the ocean. Each afternoon will feature two dialogue tracks involving UN members, agencies, and civil society organizations.

Vietnam boasts a coastline of over 3,260 km with more than 3,000 islands, and its maritime region is recognized for its natural resource wealth and strategic economic and geopolitical importance. However, the pressures of socio-economic development and other factors have brought numerous environmental challenges to Vietnam’s marine ecosystems.

Vietnam's National Marine Spatial Planning Resolution for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, sets forth goals to manage and exploit marine resources effectively, protect the environment, conserve biodiversity and marine cultural values, and gradually position Vietnam as a strong and prosperous maritime nation.

Vietnam–Estonia relations have seen encouraging developments in recent years since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992. However, bilateral trade and investment remain modest.

Vietnam seeks to deepen diplomatic and economic cooperation with Estonia, a country widely regarded as a digital transformation and e-government success story. Estonia has implemented around 3,600 online public services, allowing citizens easy access to government functions through its robust e-governance infrastructure.

Sweden was the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam, doing so on January 11, 1969, during Vietnam’s war for national independence. Over more than 55 years, the two nations have fostered strong ties based on mutual trust and cooperation across various fields.

Sweden remains a key partner for Vietnam in Northern Europe, with continuously strengthened collaboration in trade, investment, education, and people-to-people exchange.

Sweden is also the largest provider of non-refundable aid to Vietnam among Nordic countries, focusing on institutional and legal reform, rule of law, public administration, human resources development, healthcare, and environmental protection.

During a meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on the sidelines of the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in the UAE in December 2023, the Swedish Prime Minister expressed confidence in Vietnam's continued role in promoting ASEAN centrality and contributing to resolving globally significant issues.

Tran Thuong