Maritime and island communications: Bridging policy and practice

Viet Nam Agriculture and Nature Newspaper and the Viet Nam Agency of Seas and Islands have agreed to strengthen coordination in communications, aiming to bring marine and island policies more effectively into practice.

On the afternoon of March 18 in Hanoi, Nguyen Ngoc Thach, Editor-in-Chief of the Viet Nam Agriculture and Nature Newspaper and Nguyen Quoc Toan, Director General of the Viet Nam Agency of Seas and Islands, co-chaired a meeting to promote cooperation and enhance communications on maritime and island affairs in the coming period.

Diversifying communication approaches, targeting communities

At the meeting, leaders from both agencies underscored the role of communications in raising public awareness of the importance of seas and islands for economic development and national sovereignty protection.

Representatives from specialized departments proposed a range of concrete measures to improve communication effectiveness. These include developing in-depth thematic coverage on marine issues, organizing forums, panel discussions, and communication campaigns tied to major events such as World Oceans Day and Viet Nam Sea and Islands Week.

The two sides also identified key communication priorities, including amendments to the Law on Marine and Island Resources and Environment; the review of Resolution 36 on the sustainable development of Viet Nam’s marine economy; and the drafting of a new resolution aligned with current conditions.

In addition, communications efforts will be expanded at the grassroots level, targeting specific groups such as fishermen, investors in marine economic development, and coastal communities. Programs such as “I Love My Homeland’s Seas and Islands,” campaigns against ocean plastic waste, and marine environmental protection initiatives will be maintained and scaled up.

Participants also proposed aligning communications activities with major environmental events such as World Environment Day and the International Day for Biological Diversity to amplify outreach. At the same time, there is a push to provide state management data and information in formats that are more accessible and easier for the public to understand.

Focus on legal revisions and marine economic strategy

Concluding the meeting, both sides agreed to develop a comprehensive communications plan with clearly assigned responsibilities for content development, ensuring consistent, accurate, and in-depth information. Notably, the development of an overarching communications strategy and the eventual signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) were identified as essential steps to ensure a systematic and long-term partnership.

Nguyen Ngoc Thach emphasized that upcoming communications efforts will be structured around specific sectors and tasks, with a focus on disseminating new policies and institutional frameworks, particularly in resource management, environmental protection, and sustainable marine economic development. He also highlighted the importance of organizing forums, workshops, and specialized discussions to facilitate multi-dimensional dialogue and support effective policymaking.

According to Nguyen Quoc Toan, this is a critical period as the review of Resolution 36 enters its final phase, with submission to the Politburo expected in June. Key activities scheduled for March through May include consultations with associations and professional organizations, as well as field missions to localities, especially across 21 coastal provinces and cities, to assess on-the-ground realities and refine policy frameworks.

On that basis, Toan called on the Agriculture and Environment Newspaper to intensify its engagement by producing thematic reporting series aligned with each phase, offering multi-dimensional coverage of the review process and the drafting of a new resolution on marine economic development.

Notably, the draft amended Law on Marine and Island Resources and Environment is expected to comprise five major policy groups, with particular emphasis on two pillars: marine economic development and marine spatial planning. These areas require early and extensive communication, especially during the public consultation process.

The revision and finalization of the law have been identified as a key task from June through the end of the year, with submission to the National Assembly for approval anticipated in October. Toan stressed the need for close coordination in policy communications throughout all stages, from public consultation to draft completion, to help build broad social consensus.

At the same time, the development of synchronized decrees and circulars guiding the law’s implementation will also require timely communication to clarify new mechanisms and policies, contributing to a more transparent legal framework that encourages investment and supports sustainable marine economic growth.

As part of the broader communications agenda, Toan proposed that the two sides jointly organize thematic workshops and expand creative media products, such as radio programs linked to fishermen’s responsibilities. He also emphasized the need to promote communication in high-potential sectors, including marine tourism, port logistics, marine science and technology, conservation and aquaculture, resource governance, and marine environmental protection.

Mobilizing social resources, strengthening international cooperation, and promoting a green, sustainable growth model for the marine economy, aimed at making a stronger contribution to national economic growth, will serve as overarching priorities.

With a spirit of proactivity, partnership, and shared responsibility, the collaboration between the Viet Nam Agriculture and Nature Newspaper and the Viet Nam Agency of Seas and Islands is expected to mark a significant step forward in maritime and island communications, helping translate policy into practice and enhance public awareness of sustainable marine economic development.

Nguyen Thuy - Tung Dinh