CIL Senior Global Fellow Dr. Youna Lyons, CIL Research Fellow Dita Liliansa, and CIL Research Associate Digvijay Rewatkar participated in the 13th Ocean Dialogue on 14 November 2024 in Can Tho, Viet Nam. Co-organized by the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam (DAV) and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), this event is part of a series initiated in 2017. Over the years, the Ocean Dialogue series has become a cornerstone of KAS–DAV cooperation, offering a platform for scholars, diplomats, and scientists to engage in meaningful discussions on a broad range of ocean and maritime issues.

The 13th Ocean Dialogue featured nearly 20 distinguished international and national speakers and attracted over 200 participants. This year’s hybrid event centred on the theme Exploring New Frontiers of the High and Deep Seas, with dynamic discussions on the key contents of the BBNJ Agreement, the prospects of deep-sea mining regulations, and opportunities for cooperation in the Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ).

This year’s dialogue included presentations by CIL researchers. In Session 2, New Prospects for Deep-Sea Mining Regulations, CIL Senior Global Fellow Dr. Youna Lyons presented on the Ongoing Developments in Seabed Mining Regulations, while CIL Research Fellow Dita Liliansa addressed ASEAN and Deep-Sea Mining. In Session 3, Opportunities and Challenges for Further Cooperation in the ABNJ, CIL Research Associate Digvijay Rewatkar delivered a presentation on Deep-Sea Mining, Biodiversity Preservation, and Institutional Cooperation.