Vietnam wins first-ever seat on int’l maritime court

Anh secured election in the first round of voting and received the highest number of votes among candidates from the Asia-Pacific region, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Six other judges from Ghana, Tunisia, Russia, the Netherlands, India, and Brazil were also elected to serve on the 21-member tribunal, with their terms beginning in October.

The election marks the first time Vietnam has won a seat on the Hamburg-based court since it began operations in 1996.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the result reflected international confidence in the country’s growing role in multilateral diplomacy, international legal integration, and contributions to the rules-based global order.

The ministry said Anh would carry out her duties independently and impartially in accordance with the tribunal’s statute and contribute to the effective implementation of UNCLOS and the strengthening of the international legal order at sea.

Established under the 1982 UNCLOS and operational since 1996, ITLOS adjudicates disputes concerning the interpretation and application of the convention.

It consists of 21 independent judges elected by member states to represent different legal systems and geographic regions.

Separately, Vietnamese Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu chaired an international seminar at U.N. headquarters on Tuesday on maritime safety, security, and freedom of navigation on the sidelines of the 36th Meeting of States Parties to UNCLOS.

The event drew more than 120 representatives from governments, international organizations, and academic institutions.

Participants discussed legal frameworks, emerging challenges, and international cooperation in ensuring maritime security and freedom of navigation under UNCLOS.