On the morning of June 4, at Binh Minh Square (Cua Lo Town, Nghe An Province), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment coordinated with the People's Committee of Nghe An Province to organize the launching ceremony of the National Week of Vietnam Sea and Islands, the Month of Action for the Environment in response to World Environment Day (June 5) and World Ocean Day (June 8).
Attending the event, on the side of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment were: Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh; Deputy Minister Vo Tuan Nhan and heads of units under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
On the side of Nghe An province, there were the participation of Central Party Committee member, Provincial Party Secretary, Head of the National Assembly Delegation, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council Thai Thanh Quy; Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Van De and many leaders of Nghe An province.
The event was also attended by Party Central Committee member, Provincial Party Secretary, Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Ha Tinh province Hoang Trung Dung; former Party Central Committee member, former Deputy Head of the Central Organizing Committee, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh; Ms. Ramla Khalidi, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Vietnam; Mr. Van Ngoc Thinh, Country Director of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in Vietnam; Vice President of the Vietnam Farmers' Association, Mr. Dinh Khac Dinh... and a large number of people in Cua Lo town and tourists from all over.
Practical action needed to tackle plastic waste pollution
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh emphasized the importance of nature, seas and oceans to human life. However, humans are facing extremely urgent environmental issues, climate change and rising sea levels, plastic waste, requiring cooperation and joint efforts from countries to solve.
Minister Dang Quoc Khanh pointed out that Vietnam is facing many challenges as the issue of white pollution is closely related to economic development and social stability. With about 50% of the country's population living in low-lying and coastal areas, Vietnam is considered one of the most vulnerable countries and is subject to many negative impacts of climate change, environmental pollution, and rising sea levels.
According to Minister Dang Quoc Khanh, in recent times, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has actively and proactively advised the Party and the State to issue many important policies and guidelines on resource management, environmental protection, response to climate change and sustainable development of the marine economy... Thereby, it has gradually raised public awareness of the harmful effects of plastic products and single-use nylon bags on the environment, ecosystems and human health.
However, Vietnam's environmental protection and management of marine and island resources are still facing many difficulties and challenges. The marine environment shows signs of pollution; natural resources and biodiversity continue to decline; exploitation and use of marine and island resources are still ineffective and unsustainable. People's awareness of resource exploitation and use is low, and the habit of consuming single-use plastic products has been and is posing great pressure on environmental management and protection.
Accordingly, the head of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment called on ministries, branches, central agencies, local authorities, organizations, individuals and businesses to take practical actions to solve the problem of plastic waste pollution, contributing to environmental protection, sea and ocean protection; exploiting and sustainably using marine and island resources.
Six tasks to protect marine resources and environment
Accordingly, Minister Dang Quoc Khanh outlined six main tasks and solutions to protect resources and develop the marine economy sustainably.
Firstly, we must act responsibly towards the sea and ocean in accordance with the Party's guidelines, the State's policies and laws, and international law. Overcome and eliminate the mindset of pursuing immediate economic benefits while neglecting the maintenance and protection of the environment, further promote the development of a civilized marine ecological community; consider this the ethical and cultural standard of each agency, organization, community, enterprise, and citizen.
Second is to manage, protect the environment and sustainably develop the sea and islands, effectively implement appropriate strategies and policies to limit ocean plastic waste, conserve biodiversity, and restore marine ecosystems. Synchronously develop coastal infrastructure, strengthen connections with inland areas.
Third, focus on prioritizing investment, promoting basic investigation, scientific and technological research, developing high-quality marine human resources; Strengthening environmental protection, especially coastal areas, handling pollution sources, saying no to plastic waste...
Fourth, make the most of advantages to develop tourism and marine services to make Vietnam an attractive destination in the world; exploit seaports and maritime transport services synchronously and effectively; improve the efficiency of exploiting marine mineral resources associated with deep processing...
At the same time, support and encourage businesses and people to invest, produce and use environmentally friendly materials to replace packaging and products that are difficult to decompose; implement preferential policies, tax exemptions and reductions on environmentally friendly products and materials to replace single-use plastic products, difficult-to-decompose nylon bags and materials that pose a risk of causing environmental pollution.
Fifth, continue to expand and strengthen cooperation with countries, partners, international and regional organizations on the basis of respecting the sovereignty, rights and legitimate interests of coastal countries, complying with international law, UNCLOS 1982, ensuring maritime security and safety, contributing to building an environment of peace, stability, cooperation and development.
Sixth, effectively carry out propaganda, education and raise awareness of the country's seas and islands, awareness of protecting marine resources and environment; turn awareness into self-awareness and specific, practical actions at each level, each sector, each enterprise and each individual...
Minister Dang Quoc Khanh believes that with the spirit of openness in international cooperation and solidarity, unity and efforts within the country, we will achieve certain successes in protecting resources and the environment, and protecting the sacred sea and islands of the Fatherland.
“Each citizen, business and organization in society will be an active and enthusiastic nucleus, playing an important role in the process of reducing plastic pollution, protecting the environment, responding to climate change, while promoting the potential advantages of the sea, implementing sustainable economic development of the country, creating a premise for Vietnam to move closer to the goal of building a future of “living in harmony with nature” by 2050."
"With the joint response of the entire people and society, I believe that we will definitely succeed!" - Minister Dang Quoc Khanh emphasized.
Sustainable use of seas and oceans
According to Ms. Ramla Khalidi, United Nations Representative in Vietnam, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam, sustainable use of the seas and oceans will be the key to building a prosperous and sustainable future for the Vietnamese people. Therefore, UNDP shares 3 goals that Vietnam needs to aim for, which are:
Vietnam needs to step up its efforts to transition to a sustainable ocean economy; in part through accelerating marine spatial planning. Marine spatial planning is essential to exploit Vietnam’s huge offshore wind development potential, which, when realised, could contribute to meeting the ambitious energy targets in Power Development Plan 8 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050 as committed at COP26.
In addition, Vietnam needs to continue to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities. As the Chair of the ASEAN Disaster Management Committee, Vietnam can highlight its achievements in mangrove reforestation, storm-resistant housing, and community-based disaster risk reduction and prediction.
In addition, there is a need to agree on the commitments and actions required to involve all stakeholders including Government, private sector, communities, households and individuals.
“On behalf of the UN in Viet Nam, we are proud to work with all of you in the key areas of climate change, environmental protection and circular economy. The connections we make to achieve this goal have become more important than ever,” Ms. Ramla Khalidi affirmed.
World Environment Day 2023 (June 5) was launched by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) with the theme "Solutions to plastic pollution", focusing on implementing the campaign "Fighting plastic pollution".
World Oceans Day 2023 (June 8) was chosen by the United Nations with the theme "Ocean Planet: Changing Tides". In conjunction with the theme of World Oceans Day 2023, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment launched the theme of Vietnam Sea and Islands Week 2023 (from June 1 to 8) as "Sustainable exploitation and use of resources, protection of marine and island environment".
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