The event drew the participation of delegates from 17 Asian countries and territories.

In his speech, Lieutenant-General and Deputy Minister of National Defense, Nguyen Chi Vinh, said the meeting gives the Vietnamese coast guard force and the Ministry of National Defense a chance to actively contribute to promoting and strengthening cooperation among Asian enforcement forces on the law of seas for the common objectives and interest of ensuring maritime security and safety, and maintaining a peaceful, secure and stable environment in the region and in the world.

Mr Vinh said that to cope with challenges on the sea in this unpredictable climate, Asian Coast Guard forces need to promote information exchanges, confidence building and mutual trust.

The regional coast guard forces’ operations should respect national maritime laws, as well as that of the 1982 UN Convention of the Law of the Sea.

Asian coastal nations need to support and devise a broad code of conduct on the rules of the sea that is underpinned by solid legal foundations that promote cooperation, prevent acts detrimental to common interests in the region, and create a peaceful and stable environment that facilitates regional and global growth.

At the meeting, delegates discussed reports on the results of agency-level meetings held in Hanoi on October 6-8, measures to ensure navigation security and prevent sea disasters, and presented programs on navigation capacity building.

A joint statement of HACGAM-7 is expected to be signed during the meeting.

(VOV)