Sustainable fisheries development - critical to fighting poverty: Deputy PM

The discussion took place within the framework of the 3rd UN Ocean Conference.

Bui said fisheries provide a vital source of protein for billions of people, and that sustainable fisheries and management are critical to fighting poverty and driving development.

Viet Nam has a rich fishing sector, accounting for 5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) and providing livelihoods for millions-but is facing mounting challenges due to climate change and biodiversity loss, he shared.

Co-Chair Marija Vučković, Minister for Environmental Protection and Green Transition of Croatia, said effective management is only possible with robust systems that strengthen capacities not only at sea but across the entire value chain, adding that only coordinated action can achieve game changing progress.

Speakers and representatives of participating countries all affirmed the importance of sustainable fisheries management and called for enhanced cooperation within multilateral frameworks and mechanisms in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They also highlighted the vital role of fisheries in providing food and nutrition for human populations, contributing significantly to poverty eradication and economic development. Furthermore, they stressed the need to support capacity building and financial assistance for developing countries./.