Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, the conference, running through June 13 under the theme “Accelerating Action and Mobilising All Actors to Conserve and Sustainably Use the Ocean”, has drawn representatives from over 120 countries, including more than 50 heads of state and government, and from international organisations, and about 100,000 attendees at related events.

PM Pham Minh Chinh (right) and Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son at the opening session of the third UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, on June 9.

This strong turnout reflects mounting global concern for the oceans and their critical role in regulating climate, preserving biodiversity, and supporting human well-being.

On the conference’s opening day, PM Chinh is set to deliver two keynote speeches representing ASEAN and Viet Nam at the plenary session.

He will also co-chair the world delta summit with Iraq’s President on the sidelines and witness the handover of a diplomatic document marking Viet Nam’s ratification of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, an event held by the UN Office of Legal Affairs.

French President Emmanuel Macron, in his speech, stressed the need to bolster public finance, expand support from development banks, and spread innovative models to raise private capital.

Earlier on June 8 afternoon, Macron hosted PM Chinh and other world leaders at the inauguration of the Whale building at the Nice Convention Centre. Later, they toured a scientific exhibition showcasing marine science studies and innovations.

The Whale building, renovated by the French Government for UNOC3, spans 15,000 sq.m and rises 24m, with its architecture inspired by the interior of a giant whale and adorned with vibrant street art installations. It will serve as the hub for the conference’s high-level meetings.

Held every three years under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General and co-hosted by one developed and one developing nation, UNOC3 is poised to be the most significant UN ocean-focused event of 2025.

The agenda includes 10 plenary sessions and 10 parallel thematic discussions, all aimed at advancing practical solutions to achieve SDG14 within the broader UN Sustainable Development Goals framework.

Vietnam Airlines increases flights to Singapore, Bangkok

Vietnam Airlines has announced an increase in flight frequency on two key international routes from Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore and Bangkok to meet travel demand during the 2025 peak summer season.

Vietnam-Estonia traditional friendship relations

At the invitation of Prime Minister Kristen Michal, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse, along with a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, pay an official visit to Estonia on June 5-7, 2025. This is the first visit to Estonia by a Vietnamese government leader since 1992 – when the two sides established diplomatic ties. Over the past years, the two countries have maintained a sound traditional relationship, actively supporting each other on multilateral forums.

 

Viet Nam ships first batch of low-emission rice to Japan

The first shipment of 500 tonnes of Viet Nam’s low-carbon footprint rice set sail for Japan on June 5, marking the international debut of the rice produced under the initiative to cultivate one million hectares of low-emission and high-quality rice in the Mekong Delta (the one-million-hectare rice project).

 

China rolls out 'ASEAN visa' to facilitate cross-border travel

China has launched an "ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Visa" for the 10 ASEAN countries and ASEAN observer Timor-Leste, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a press briefing on June 3.

Viet Nam among top five most searched summer destinations by European travellers

Thanks to its natural landscapes, cultural identity and increasingly convenient travel connections, Viet Nam has made it into the top five most searched destinations by European tourists for summer 2025. Cities such as Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Noi have become top choices for international visitors to the S-shaped country.

 

Viet Nam, US seek stronger agricultural cooperation

In addition, many Vietnamese firms established initial connections with Ohio partners to promote imports of raw timber, fruit, and meat products.