Viet Nam and Japan have signed a MoU on marine and ocean policy cooperation, focusing on marine science, environmental protection, and blue economy development.
During the November 8-11 visit to Japan by General Secretary and State President To Lam and his spouse at the invitation of the Japanese government, Viet Nam's Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and Japan's Cabinet Office signed a MoU on cooperation in maritime and ocean policies.
The signing ceremony was presided over by Viet Nam's Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trinh Viet Hung and Japan's Minister for Ocean Policy Furukawa Toshiharu.
Viet Nam's Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and Japan's Cabinet Office sign a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in maritime and ocean policies. Photo: Khuong Trung.Through the MoU, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation in maritime and ocean policies, while recognizing the achievements of their partnership to date. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation within their respective mandates based on equality, reciprocity, mutual benefit, and efficiency.
The MoU covers 5 key areas of cooperation. In ocean governance and planning, both sides will promote exchanges on ocean policies and legislation, Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) systems, digital databases, digital mapping, artificial intelligence, and other advanced technologies.
Viet Nam's Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trinh Viet Hung and Japan's Minister for Ocean Policy Furukawa Toshiharu preside over the signing ceremony. Photo: Khuong Trung.In marine science and ecosystem conservation, both sides will strengthen cooperation in marine scientific research, deep-sea and seabed exploration and surveys, blue carbon development, and marine ecosystem conservation and restoration.
Regarding marine environmental protection, the two sides will share technologies and solutions to protect the marine environment and prevent pollution from marine debris, including plastic waste, and oil spills.
The MoU also covers cooperation in the sustainable use of marine space and resources for marine economic development, including offshore wind power, as well as other areas of mutual interest.
Through the MoU, both sides reaffirm their commitment to further cooperation in maritime and ocean policies, while recognizing the achievements of their partnership to date. Photo: Khuong Trung.To implement the agreement, both sides will strengthen information sharing through annual dialogues on maritime and ocean policies, organize conferences, workshops, and discussions, and conduct capacity-building activities through exchanges of officials and technical experts, as well as other mutually agreed initiatives.