On the morning of June 4, in 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 national launching ceremony of Vietnam Sea and Islands Week, Action Month for the Environment. in response to World Environment Day (June 6), World Oceans Day (June 5). Secretary of Ha Tinh Provincial Party Committee Hoang Trung Dung attended.
Attending the event, on the side of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, there 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 Nghe An side, there were members of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, 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 Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Ha Tinh Province Hoang Trung Dung; Former Member of the Party Central Committee, former Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Central Organization Committee, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Elderly, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh; Ms. Ramla Khalidi, Chief 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 Chairman of the Vietnam Farmers' Association Dinh Khac Dinh... and a large number of people in Cua Lo town, tourists from all over the world.
Practical action is 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, sea and ocean for human life. However, people are facing extremely pressing problems about the environment, climate change and sea level rise, plastic waste, which requires cooperation and joint resolution of countries.
Minister Dang Quoc Khanh pointed out that Vietnam is facing many challenges when the problem of white pollution is closely related to economic development and social stability. Along with about 50% of the country's population living in lowland and coastal areas, Vietnam is considered as one of the most vulnerable countries and suffers from many negative impacts of climate change, environmental pollution. school, sea level rise.
According to Minister Dang Quoc Khanh, in the past time, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has actively advised the Party and State to promulgate many important guidelines and policies on resource management and environmental protection. , response to climate change and sustainable development of the marine economy... Thereby, gradually raising public awareness about the harmful effects of products derived from plastic, single-use plastic bags for human health. environment, ecosystems and human health.
Minister Dang Quoc Khanh participated in picking up trash and cleaning up the sea during the National Launching Ceremony of Vietnam Sea and Islands Week, the month of action for the environment in response to World Environment Day (June 5) World Ocean (6-8) in Nghe An
However, the environmental protection and management of marine and island resources of Vietnam are still facing many difficulties and challenges. The marine environment shows signs of being polluted; Natural resources and biodiversity continue to decline, exploitation and use of sea and island resources is still inefficient and unsustainable. People's awareness about the exploitation and use of resources is not high, the consumption habit of using single-use plastic products has been putting great pressure on the management and protection of the environment.
Accordingly, the head of the Natural Resources and Environment sector called on ministries, branches, central mass organizations, local authorities, organizations, individuals and businesses to take practical actions to solve the problem. solve the problem of plastic waste pollution, contribute to environmental protection, protect the sea and ocean; sustainable exploitation and use of marine and island resources.
Six tasks to protect marine resources and environment
Accordingly, Minister Dang Quoc Khanh has outlined six main tasks and solutions to protect resources and develop the marine economy in a sustainable way.
Minister Dang Quoc Khanh has outlined six main tasks and solutions to protect resources and develop the marine economy in a sustainable way.
The first is to behave responsibly towards the sea and ocean according to the guidelines of the Party, the policies and laws of the State and international law. Overcome and eliminate the idea of pursuing immediate economic benefits but disregarding the maintenance and protection of the environment, further promoting the development of a civilized marine ecological community; consider this as the standard of ethics and culture of each agency, organization, community, business and people.
The second is to manage and protect the environment and sustainably develop seas and islands, effectively deploying appropriate strategies and policies to limit ocean plastic waste, conserve biodiversity, and restore ocean plastic waste. restore marine ecosystems. Synchronously develop coastal infrastructure, strengthen links with inland areas.
Third, focus on prioritizing investment, promoting basic investigation, scientific and technological research, and developing high-quality marine human resources; Strengthening environmental protection, especially in coastal areas, dealing with pollution sources, saying no to plastic waste...
Fourth, make the most of the advantages to develop tourism and marine services industries so that Vietnam becomes an attractive destination of the world; synchronous and efficient exploitation of seaports and shipping services; improve the efficiency of exploitation of marine mineral resources associated with deep processing…
Minister Dang Quoc Khanh and other delegates participated in planting trees at the event
Minister Dang Quoc Khanh, Secretary of the Ha Tinh Provincial Party Committee Hoang Trung Dung and other delegates participated in planting trees at the event
At the same time, support and encourage businesses and people to invest, produce and use environmentally friendly materials to replace difficult-to-decompose packaging and products; implementing preferential policies, exempting and reducing product taxes, environmentally friendly materials to replace single-use plastic products, non-degradable plastic bags and materials with risks of causing environmental pollution.
Fifth is to continue to expand and strengthen cooperation with other countries, partners, international and regional organizations on the basis of respecting the sovereignty, rights and legitimate interests of coastal states, complying with the law. Comply with international law, UNCLOS 1982, ensure maritime security and safety, and contribute to building an environment of peace, stability, cooperation and development.
Sixth, well implement propaganda, education and raising awareness about the country's sea and islands, awareness of protecting marine resources and environment; turning awareness into self-consciousness and concrete and practical actions at each level, each industry, each enterprise and each individual...
Minister Dang Quoc Khanh, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Elderly Nguyen Thanh Binh presented gifts of gratitude to representatives of the elderly in Nghe An province with achievements in environmental protection.
Minister Dang Quoc Khanh believes that, with the spirit of market demand in international cooperation relationships and solidarity, unity, and internal efforts, we will achieve certain victories in the work of environmental protection. protect natural resources and environment, protect the sacred sea and islands of the Fatherland.
“Every 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, and responding to climate change. At the same time, promoting the potential and advantages of the sea, realizing the country's economic development in a sustainable way, creating a premise for Vietnam to move closer to the goal of building a future "living in harmony with nature". "in 2050."
"With the joint response of the whole 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, Chief Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Vietnam, sustainable use of 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 achieve, which are:
Ms. Ramla Khalidi, United Nations Representative in Vietnam, Chief Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Vietnam
Vietnam needs to intensify its efforts to transition towards a sustainable marine economy; partly through accelerating marine spatial planning. Marine spatial planning is needed to tap into Vietnam's huge offshore wind development potential, which, when realized, could contribute to meeting the ambitious energy targets in the Power Development Plan. force 8 and achieve net zero emissions by 0 as committed at COP2050.
In addition, Vietnam needs to continue to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities. As Chair of the ASEAN Disaster Management Committee, Vietnam can showcase its achievements in mangrove reforestation, storm-resistant housing, disaster risk reduction and prediction actions. community-based ear.
In addition, it is necessary to agree on the necessary commitments and actions with the participation of all stakeholders including the Government, the private sector, communities, households and all individuals.
“On behalf of the United Nations in Vietnam, we are proud to be collaborating with all of you in the key areas of climate change, environmental protection and the circular economy. The connections we make to achieve this are more important than ever.” Ramla Khalidi confirmed.
World Environment Day 2023 (June 5) was launched by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) with the theme "Solutions to plastic pollution", which focuses on implementing the campaign "Fighting pollution". plastic".
World Oceans Day 2023 (June 8) was selected by the United Nations with the theme "Ocean Planet: Changing Tides". Associated with the theme of World Oceans Day 6, MONRE launched the theme of Vietnam Seas and Islands Week 2023 (from June 2023 to June 1) as "Sustainably exploiting and using resources, protecting marine and island environment”.
According to TN&MT