World Oceans Day is the first initiative proposed by the Government of Canada in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. It was later recognized by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO in the International Year of the Ocean 1998, organized in Lisbon (Portugal), where Vietnam also participated in this event. Since 2009, the United Nations General Assembly officially designated June 8 as World Oceans Day.
- History and Significance of World Oceans Day and Vietnam Seas and Islands Week
World Oceans Day is the first initiative proposed by the Government of Canada in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. It was later recognized by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO in the International Year of the Ocean 1998, organized in Lisbon (Portugal), where Vietnam also participated in this event. Since 2009, the United Nations General Assembly officially designated June 8 as World Oceans Day. The main goal of World Oceans Day is to raise awareness among the public and policymakers about the crucial role that oceans and seas play in our daily lives, and to encourage actions for "the sustainability of the oceans."
World Oceans Day is also a day when everyone on our planet celebrates and honors the values of the oceans for life, for everything they provide to humanity, and for what they represent. As a maritime nation, the Government of Vietnam is one of the first 9 countries to organize events to celebrate World Oceans Day in June 2009, as part of Vietnam Seas and Islands Week.
Vietnam Seas and Islands Week is established by the Government of Vietnam in Decree No. 25/2009/ND-CP dated March 6, 2009, and is held annually from June 1 to June 8, to commemorate World Environment Day (June 5) and World Oceans Day (June 8). Vietnam Seas and Islands Week serves as an opportunity for Vietnam to affirm its significant potential in marine economy; demonstrate its determination to comprehensively develop the maritime sector; protect the sustainable use of marine and island resources; and assert its sovereignty over the seas and islands. Celebrating Vietnam Seas and Islands Week is also an occasion to promote awareness among the people about protecting natural resources, conserving and developing the value of marine and island ecosystems, national pride, and the importance of territorial sovereignty over Vietnam's seas, contributing to national stability and development.
- The Role of the Seas, Islands, and Oceans
Seas, islands, and oceans play an extremely important role and have a vast impact on many aspects of human life, including the economy, politics, environment, and culture. Oceans, seas, and islands cover approximately 71% of the Earth's surface. The seas and islands are spread across all of the world’s oceans, such as the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic Oceans. They play a vital role in connecting continents and nations.
In terms of economy, the seas provide a rich source of seafood, oil, gas, minerals, and many other resources. The industries of seafood exploitation and processing, oil and gas, and marine minerals make significant contributions to the GDP of many countries, including Vietnam. In particular, Vietnam possesses a coastline of over 3,260 km and thousands of large and small islands, including the two archipelagos of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa, which play a crucial role in the national economy. The oceans also serve as key international trade routes, with the majority of global goods being transported by sea, helping to connect countries and stimulate economic development. Additionally, island and coastal tourism, with its attractive beaches and islands, attracts millions of visitors every year, contributing to the growth of the tourism industry and providing jobs for local communities.
In terms of politics and security, the seas and islands are an inseparable part of a nation's territory, playing a crucial role in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity. Maritime security is also a key factor, as the seas and oceans are where many important maritime activities take place. The control and protection of maritime routes, as well as the prevention of criminal activities such as smuggling, piracy, and other security threats, are essential responsibilities for nations.
In terms of the environment, the seas and oceans are home to millions of species, playing a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity. The oceans also regulate global climate by absorbing large amounts of CO2 and adjusting atmospheric temperatures through ocean currents. These factors not only help protect the environment but also ensure the survival of many species on Earth.
In terms of culture and history, many coastal communities have a long history and a rich culture closely tied to the sea and islands. Maritime and island cultural heritage contributes not only to the cultural identity of nations but also serves as a valuable resource for scientific research. The seas and oceans provide crucial information about the Earth's history, geological and biological processes, contributing to the advancement of human knowledge.
For these reasons, the seas, islands, and oceans hold an irreplaceable position and role in the comprehensive development of humanity and the planet. Protecting and sustainably exploiting marine resources is an urgent and essential task for every nation across the globe.
Vietnam, a coastal country, has a coastline stretching over 3,260 km from north to south, with nearly 3,000 islands of various sizes and the two archipelagos of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa. Of the 63 provinces and cities across the country, 28 have coastlines, and nearly half of the population lives in coastal areas. Throughout its thousands of years of history in building and defending the nation, the seas and islands have always been closely connected to the development of the country and the people of Vietnam, playing a particularly important role in socio-economic development and national security.
According to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Vietnam’s maritime area is over 1 million km², three times the size of its land area, accounting for nearly 30% of the South China Sea (which is nearly 3.5 million km²). This region holds a strategically vital position as a frontline defense to protect the eastern flank of the country. Some coastal islands also have strategic importance as national landmarks at sea, establishing baseline points for Vietnam's territorial waters, thereby defining internal waters, territorial seas, contiguous zones, exclusive economic zones, and the continental shelf. This provides the legal basis to protect the nation's sovereignty over these maritime areas.
Since 2009, Vietnam has organized the Vietnam Seas and Islands Week (from June 1st to June 8th) to coincide with World Oceans Day (June 8th), as an annual event. It has become a concrete activity codified in the 2015 Law on Marine and Island Resources and Environment, aimed at raising awareness of the position and importance of the seas and islands in the national defense and construction, as well as honoring the ocean’s values for human life and the urgency of protecting the oceans.
In response to World Oceans Day (June 8th), the Vietnam Seas and Islands Week, held annually from June 1st to June 8th, is an opportunity for Vietnam to affirm its potential and commitment to the sustainable development of the marine economy, while also protecting marine resources, the environment, and national sovereignty at sea.
The theme for Vietnam Seas and Islands Week 2024 is "Deepening Understanding of the Oceans." The purpose of this theme is to enhance public awareness about the viewpoints, policies, and laws of the Party and the State, as well as international laws regarding seas and islands; the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnam at sea; the position, role, and importance of seas, islands, and oceans; marine environmental resources; and the sustainable development of the marine economy.
In practical response to Vietnam Seas and Islands Week and World Oceans Day 2024, the Party branch, school administration, staff, teachers, employees, and students of Hoang Liet Secondary School will continue to promote the tradition of great national unity and self-reliance. Together with the people in the locality and across the country, they will carry out their responsibilities to successfully contribute to the implementation of the goals set by the 13th Party Congress Resolution, which states: "… resolutely and persistently protect national independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, seas, islands, and airspace; maintain a peaceful and stable environment to develop the country." They will also participate in movements and activities to protect the seas and islands, safeguard territorial integrity over Vietnam’s seas, islands, and continental shelf; engage in marine environmental protection movements, contribute to the fund for seas and islands, and participate in writing campaigns and contests promoting Vietnam’s seas and islands.
Source: pbgdpl.moj.gov.vn