EAS congress focuses on sustainable maritime development (VOV) - The 5th East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress, November 16-21,  themed ‘Global targets, local benefits – Setting the Sustainable Development Agenda for the Seas of East Asia beyond 2015’ has opened in Danang.  It is expected to adopt a joint declaration on sustainable maritime development beyond 2015. Chu Pham Ngoc Hien, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment recently sat down with a VOV reporter to discuss the agenda for the congress and initiatives in it. Following are key translated excerpts capturing the gist of the interview. VOV: As a host country, what initiatives has Vietnam put forth to promote maritime potential among nations? Mr Hien: The congress founded by the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) is held every three years. This year, Vietnam is hosting the event. The government of Vietnam wants to send a message to regional and international countries that effective management of the oceans and coast requires implementation of a comprehensive set of policies and law. It officially sanctioned an all-encompassing management method by the Law on Sea and Island Natural Resources and Environment adopted by the National Assembly in August 2015. The government also put in place an integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) strategy by 2020 with a vision to 2030 and a strategy to effectively use sea natural resources and environment by 2020 with a vision to 2030. It has directed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to develop a plan to concretize laws and strategies to submit to the National Assembly in 2016. VOV: What is the main content of the integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) strategy? Mr Hien: The strategy sets forth coordination management mechanisms among ministries and localities in making full use of sea resources and protecting sea environment to serve sustainable development. It also aims to prevent people from abusing natural resources but ignoring protection of environment, sea ecosystem and sea bio-diversification. VOV: At the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai emphasized that construction and upgrade activities on islands and reefs in the East Sea would seriously threaten the sea environment. Will delegates refer or give any messages on reef renovation in the East Asian Seas at the congress? Mr Hien: Reef renovation poses a serious threat to the sea ecosystem, especially sea corals. It is also one of major topics on the agenda of the congress. Participants have also spent a great deal of time discussing how best to protect the sea environment and ecosystem as well as bio-diversification. The congress will adopt a joint declaration at the Ministerial Forum on November 20, which devises specific measures that member countries have to implement to realize the maritime sustainable development strategy beyond 2015. VOV: Is sea sovereignty on the agenda? Mr Hien: The congress only deals with sustainable maritime development in the East Asian Seas, not issues related to sovereignty disputes. Participants at the congress only devise cooperative measures to boost sustainable development in the East Asia Seas. VOV: Thank you very much.