From November 24-28, 2025 in London, UK, the Ministry of Construction delegation led by Deputy Minister Nguyen Xuan Sang attended the 34th General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) (A34 Session) and worked with relevant agencies in the maritime sector.
The IMO Assembly is the highest governing body of IMO, held every two years; all IMO Member States attend to determine policies and operating budgets for the next two years. Important contents at the A34 Session include: Electing Member States to the IMO Council (governing body) for the next two-year term (2026-2027); Adopting important Resolutions related to maritime safety, marine environmental protection, maritime security and other legal issues proposed by IMO's specialized committees; Approving IMO's Strategy, budget and work plan for the term 2026-2027; IMO Awards Ceremony: Organizing the Ceremony to present awards to individuals such as the International Maritime Prize and IMO Honors for Exceptional Bravery at Sea.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Xuan Sang delivered a speech at the Opening Plenary Session of the 34th IMO Assembly.
At the Opening Plenary Session of the A34 Session, Deputy Minister Nguyen Xuan Sang delivered a speech expressing Vietnam's strong commitment to IMO priorities, including maritime safety, environmental protection, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and promotion of sustainable development of the maritime sector.
During the A34 session, Deputy Minister Nguyen Xuan Sang held a meeting with Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the IMO. At the meeting, the Deputy Minister affirmed that Vietnam always values and highly appreciates the central role of the IMO in maintaining a safe, efficient, and sustainable global maritime industry. Since joining the IMO in 1984, Vietnam has always been an active and responsible member, rigorously implementing all 24 IMO conventions along with their related amendments, participating in and organizing IMO technical assistance programs and projects, contributing opinions to technical committees and international cooperation programs, as well as to IMO documents.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Xuan Sang worked with IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez.
During the meeting, the Secretary General highly appreciated the achievements Vietnam has made in the maritime sector in recent times, acknowledged and expressed readiness to support Vietnam's proposals through technical assistance programs and activities as well as sending IMO experts to support us in reviewing and drafting the new Maritime Code.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the Vietnamese delegation also had an exchange and working session with the UK and US delegations.
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Deputy Minister Nguyen Xuan Sang discussed with Mr. Keir Alexander Mather - Minister in charge of Aviation, Maritime Affairs and Carbon Reduction, UK Department for Transport.
During the meeting with the UK delegation, the two sides discussed potential cooperation areas, including maritime affairs, inland waterways, and measures to reduce carbon emissions in shipping in line with the IMO’s green transition objectives. Deputy Minister Nguyen Xuan Sang briefed on the progress of reorganizing and consolidating administrative agencies in Vietnam’s maritime and inland waterway sectors, as well as the programs to amend the Maritime Code and the Law on Inland Waterway Transport. The Deputy Minister expressed a desire to learn from the UK’s legislative experience and law implementation models. Mr. Keir Alexander Mather appreciated Vietnam’s reforms and affirmed the UK’s readiness to share its experience in developing and enforcing maritime and inland waterway legislation.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Xuan Sang talked with Rear Admiral Wayne Arguin - US Coast Guard, US delegation.
During the meeting with the US delegation, Deputy Minister Nguyen Xuan Sang highly appreciated the achievements both sides have made in the maritime sector, notably the Vietnam-US Maritime Transport Agreement (signed on March 15, 2007); the cooperation between Vietnam and the US Coast Guard (USCG) under the APEC program supporting the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, which has been continuously carried out since 2006; the alternating organization of port security assessment visits in Vietnam and the US; and the implementation of training programs such as professional guidance on using the SAROPS search and rescue software and specialized professional exchanges, which have enhanced mutual understanding in maritime security and safety. Both sides agreed to continue strengthening cooperation in the maritime sector.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Xuan Sang worked with Vietnam’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the UK Do Minh Hung.
During the meeting with Vietnam’s Ambassador Extraordianry and Plenipotentiary to the United Kingdom, Do Minh Hung, Deputy Minister Nguyen Xuan Sang and Ambassador Do Minh Hung exchanged views on the overall state of bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and the UK, particularly in the transport and maritime sectors, as well as on the participation of member countries within the framework of the 34th IMO Assembly session.