Vietnam's participation in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will provide opportunities for the development of the maritime sector and enhance the country's position in the international community.
According to the draft proposal on strengthening Vietnam's presence at the IMO by the Vietnam Maritime Administration, Vietnam has great advantages for the strategy of developing the maritime economy, exploiting and consuming shipbuilding products, and services from ports. Vietnam is also actively participating in signing bilateral, multilateral free trade agreements and maritime transport agreements with countries around the world, including the IMO.
Many benefits for Vietnam's position The Vietnam Maritime Administration believes that signing and implementing IMO conventions will help Vietnam improve the maritime management system and raise maritime transport standards, as well as bring opportunities and build potential for the development of the national fleet. In addition, being a member of the IMO brings many opportunities to promote foreign investment and international trade, creating a foundation for the development of the country's economy and society. At the same time, it brings benefits to Vietnam in terms of maritime security and environmental protection, and enhances the country's role and status in the international community. Strengthening Vietnam's presence at IMO is essential for the country to participate and influence in the development of international maritime standards and regulations, ensure safety and protect the marine environment, promote sustainable development and create opportunities for international cooperation.
However, the Vietnam Maritime Administration also frankly pointed out that there are still many shortcomings when Vietnam participates in IMO because policies and laws are not yet in line with international practices. The reception and implementation of IMO convention amendments have not yet been implemented in practice and are not timely. Vietnam has also not fully utilized the benefits of multilateral cooperation. In addition, personnel working on research on IMO conventions do not have deep expertise and still have to shoulder other tasks. Vietnam also does not have the conditions to regularly and fully participate in IMO sessions, and the level of participation and cooperation at multilateral forums in general, and IMO in particular, of Vietnam in many areas is still modest and uneven.
New roadmap
With the remaining difficulties, the draft project has proposed implementation roadmaps to strengthen Vietnam's presence at IMO with a number of coordinated solutions. Specifically, to increase Vietnam's contributions to IMO through specific actions such as: Research training methods, send qualified staff to become Vietnam's representatives at IMO; send young staff to participate in the IMO Young Professional Officer (JPO) Program; promote research work, update documents, circulars, and new amendments of IMO and access support programs of developed countries in sending staff to participate in IMO training programs.
At the same time, must innovate mechanisms and administrative procedures reform, improve legal institutional regulations, create a transparent, open legal framework, apply information technology, and reform administrative procedures in the direction of creating favorable conditions for businesses to develop.
At the same time, build a regulation on coordinating the implementation of IMO conventions and submit to the Government a plan to apply IMO convention amendments to specialized ministries. Publicity and dissemination work also need to be promoted.
For financial solutions, maximize IMO membership fees to serve the research and implementation of IMO conventions that Vietnam is a member, as well as research financial mechanisms for external experts belonging to the IMO convention working groups. In addition, promulgate labor management policies, especially for Vietnam's representatives at IMO.
From there, to specifically build the rights and obligations of employees and employers and the reward and punishment mechanisms during the implementation of the labor contract.
