Vietnam has achieved a significant milestone with the election of Nguyen Thi Lan Anh as a judge at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). This marks the first time the nation has nominated a candidate and secured a representative at the tribunal since its establishment in 1996.

Ms. Lan Anh, deputy director of the Diplomatic Academy, was among seven new judges elected for the 2026-2035 term. Her election took place during the 36th meeting of states parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on 18/6 at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed her election.

Nguyen Thi Lan Anh. Photo: MFA

Ms. Lan Anh received the highest number of votes in the Asia-Pacific region immediately after the first round of voting. This outcome reflects international confidence in Vietnam's standing, its role, and its contributions to UN bodies and international law. Her election also signals Vietnam's transition from active participation to substantive contributions in developing and implementing international norms and rules. It further underscores Vietnam's responsibility and enhanced capacity to effectively contribute to the rule-based global governance system.

Following this election, Vietnam will continue to work alongside other UNCLOS member states to promote the convention's full and effective implementation. The nation is committed to resolving disputes by peaceful means, enhancing maritime cooperation, and contributing to maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and sustainable development across the seas and oceans.

The Vietnamese delegation attends the election of judges for the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea for the 2026-2035 term at the UN headquarters in New York, US, on 18/6. Photo: MFA

The newly elected judges, representing Vietnam, Ghana, Tunisia, Russia, the Netherlands, India, and Brazil, will commence their nine-year terms in October. ITLOS, an intergovernmental organization headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, was established by UNCLOS. The convention was signed on 10/12/1982 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The tribunal's primary function is to resolve disputes concerning the interpretation and application of UNCLOS through judicial means.

Judges at ITLOS are elected for nine-year terms, with equitable geographical representation ensuring a diverse bench. The distribution includes: five representatives from Asia, five from Africa, four from Latin American and Caribbean states, four from Western Europe and other states, and three from Eastern Europe. UNCLOS currently boasts 172 members, comprising 171 states and territories, along with the European Union (EU). Vietnam ratified UNCLOS in 1994.

Nguyen Tien