Hanoi: The 15th Ocean Dialogue, themed 'From Agreement to Action: Implementing BBNJ for Equitable and Effective Ocean Governance', opened in Hanoi on September 18, bringing together policymakers, experts and international partners to discuss ways to translate commitments under the agreement into concrete mechanisms and actions at the national, regional and global levels. The event was jointly organised by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV), the Foundation for East Sea Studies (FESS), the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam. It attracted more than 140 in-person participants, including 17 international delegates from 10 countries, about 40 representatives of 35 foreign missions in Vietnam, and 80 officials, researchers, academics and journalists from across the country.

According to Vietnam News Agency, the dialogue serves as a platform for stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions on the implementation of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. The agreement is a pivotal international framework aimed at ensuring sustainable use and conservation of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Through this dialogue, participants aim to develop strategies and actions that can effectively operationalize the BBNJ Agreement's commitments.

The event's organisers emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing challenges related to ocean governance. The discussions are expected to lead to a set of recommendations that will guide policymakers and stakeholders in implementing the BBNJ Agreement effectively. The presence of a diverse group of participants underscores the global significance of the agreement and the shared responsibility of nations to protect ocean biodiversity.