Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son signs the UN treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. (Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac)

The move made Vietnam one of the first countries to sign the legally binding instrument under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The signing conveyed the message that Vietnam is a responsible member of the international community and is serious in its effort to join hands with other members to deal with global issues while contributing to peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.

The deal is an historic milestone in the international community’s environmental protection efforts. It will take effect after 60 countries ratify it.

This is the third agreement within the framework of the 1982 UNCLOS. It reaffirms the role and importance of UNCLOS as a legal framework for all maritime activities.

Minister Son said the treaty is the first document to comprehensively regulate the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources in international waters. The treaty creates opportunities for developing countries to participate in research, and benefit from the diversity of resources found in international waters.