(VOVworld)- A meeting to mark World Oceans Day and Vietnam Sea and Island Week opened in Ha Tinh province on Saturday. This is an annual event held by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Ha Tinh Provincial People’s Committee. With the theme “Joining hands for the homeland’s sea and islands”, the event aims at raising the public’s awareness about the strategic importance of seas and islands in national socio-economic development and security. In his address, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh praised achievements in sea and island border affairs. He highlighted the goal of developing Vietnam into a country that has a strong marine economy and solid defense of national sovereignty over seas and islands. Mr. Ninh says: “ It’s necessary to fine-tune policies on sea related affairs, strengthen the management and effective use of marine resources to serve national socio-economic development and defense. We also need to complete guidelines to implement the Law on Vietnam’s Sea which was approved by the National Assembly and strictly abide by international conventions that Vietnam has signed”.

Chairman of Ha Tinh Provincial People’s Committee Vo Kim Cu said that Ha Tinh is determined to develop a sustainable marine economy considering it a spearhead sector: “ We will strengthen the dissemination of information about seas and islands to raise the awareness of the public, sectors and agencies about the seas and islands’ strategic position. Our strategy also aims at effectively developing the Vung Ang Economic Zone”.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh addressed the meeting

On the occasion, the 5^th Vietnam Marine Trademark Forum and the 4^th Vietnam Marine Economic Forum were also held. In response to the Vietnam Sea and Islands Week, Radio the Voice of Vietnam launched a special program on VOV1 to highlight the strength of the marine economy, fishermen’s activities and efforts to defend national sovereignty over seas and islands.