14th National Congress of the Party: Environmental protection is the driving force for sustainable development.

According to Dr. Tran Van Mieu, placing environmental protection at the center of development strategy represents a significant shift in thinking, aligning with practical requirements and global trends.

Looking ahead to the 14th National Congress of the Party, the draft Congress document continues to emphasize the requirement for sustainable development based on harmony between economy , society, and environment, considering environmental protection as one of the central contents linked to the quality of growth and the lives of the people.

Discussing this issue, Dr. Tran Van Mieu, Vice President of the Vietnam Association for Nature and Environment Protection, stated that placing environmental protection at the center of development strategies represents a significant shift in thinking, aligning with practical requirements and global trends.

From a shift in mindset to the improvement of environmental institutions.

According to the analysis of Dr. Tran Van Mieu, Vice President of the Vietnam Association for Nature and Environment Protection, professionals and scientists in the field of environment can clearly feel the positive changes in the Party's thinking and policies on environmental protection and nature conservation throughout nearly four decades of reform.

This transition is by no means easy, but it is inevitable in the context of increasingly evident challenges related to environmental pollution, resource depletion, and climate change, which directly impact socio-economic development and people's lives.

The first notable highlight is the consistent and unwavering leadership role of the Party. Through numerous important resolutions and directives, the Party has clearly defined environmental protection, climate change adaptation, and biodiversity conservation as requirements inseparable from socio-economic development, which cannot be disregarded or overlooked.

The perspective of harmonious development between economy, society, and nature is increasingly emphasized, gradually replacing the "sacrificing the environment for growth" mindset that existed in the past.

Students on Co To Island participate in collecting trash and cleaning up the beach. (Photo: VNA)

Based on that, the State has institutionalized the Party's leadership through an increasingly完善 system of policies and laws. Dr. Tran Van Mieu argues that the Law on Environmental Protection, through its various promulgations and amendments, has created an important legal framework for environmental protection; it not only stipulates the responsibilities and obligations of organizations and individuals, but also includes policies to encourage, support, and motivate the participation of the entire society in nature conservation, biodiversity protection, and climate change adaptation.

Another point noted by Dr. Tran Van Mieu is that the Party's resolutions and the current legal system have clearly institutionalized the role of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, political-social organizations, and social and professional organizations in environmental protection.

According to him, mobilizing the participation of the entire political system and society has created a strong ripple effect, contributing to the gradual implementation of environmental policies and guidelines in practice.

Alongside this is the increasingly prominent role of the community. In both urban and rural areas, environmental protection has become an important aspect of building civilized cities and developing new rural areas. Communities not only participate through specific activities such as maintaining environmental hygiene and improving the landscape, but are also gradually forming an awareness that considers environmental protection as a part of daily life.

According to Dr. Tran Van Mieu, the participation of all segments of the population, from youth, workers, intellectuals, businesspeople to religious communities, has contributed to creating an important social foundation for environmental protection.

Through various channels, values ​​of harmonious interaction with nature, landscape protection, and conservation of life are disseminated, thereby gradually raising awareness and responsibility of each individual towards the shared living environment.

Based on these changes, Dr. Tran Van Mieu believes that thinking about environmental protection in Vietnam has made significant progress, from awareness to action, from policy to institution and practice.

This is a crucial foundation for meeting the increasingly high demands for growth quality and sustainability in the next phase of development.

The environment becomes the foundation for development.

From a strategic perspective, Dr. Tran Van Mieu emphasized a noteworthy new point in the draft document for the 14th National Congress of the Party: the identification of environmental protection as no longer a secondary task, but gradually becoming a foundation for the sustainable development of the country in the coming period.

This approach reflects a fundamental shift in development thinking, aligning with global trends and the practical demands facing Vietnam.

Promoting beverage packaging recycling helps protect the environment. (Source: Vietnam+)

Based on international experience, he analyzed that sustainable development today is viewed as being based on three inseparable pillars: economy, society, and environment. These three pillars need to be developed harmoniously, because if only economic growth is focused on while neglecting social and environmental factors, then that development will be difficult to sustain in the long term.

In this context, the environment is increasingly playing a fundamental role, ensuring both economic development and social stability. In the context of deep integration, environmental standards, green development, and traceability are becoming mandatory requirements for many major markets.

If products fail to meet these standards, access to international markets will be limited, leading to a potential decline in the competitiveness of the economy. Therefore, environmental protection is not only a responsibility but also directly creates value for economic development.

According to Dr. Tran Van Mieu, the environment plays a particularly important role not only in production but also in service industries, especially tourism. The goal of attracting tens of millions of international tourists annually can only be achieved when the living environment, landscape, and urban and rural spaces are truly green, clean, beautiful, and safe. A polluted environment and degraded landscape will directly affect the attractiveness of a destination and the national image.

From a policy perspective, Dr. Tran Van Mieu believes that the Party and State's affirmation of the principle of not sacrificing the environment for short-term economic growth is an important commitment, demonstrating responsibility towards the long-term interests of the country and future generations.

Policies, laws, and international commitments on green development and emission reduction demonstrate a determination to make the environment the foundation for sustainable development.

In the process of implementing these policies, the role of social organizations and communities is placed at a crucial position. Environmental protection laws clearly stipulate the responsibilities of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the community in participating in, monitoring, and providing social feedback. This creates a basis for people not only to be beneficiaries but also to become active participants.

In particular, the expert noted the role of the business community and entrepreneurs. With the goal of developing millions of businesses in the coming years, this is a force with great potential in terms of resources, knowledge, and the ability to spread influence.

When businesses proactively participate in green transformation, digital transformation, and the development of a circular economy, these values ​​will spread strongly throughout the community and society as a whole.

In addition, the role of citizens in communities, schools, the armed forces, and religious organizations is crucial. When citizens are raised, involved in discussions, monitoring, and directly benefiting from the results of environmental protection, their participation will be more voluntary and sustainable.

The spirit of "the people know, the people discuss, the people act, the people inspect and supervise, and the people benefit" is a guiding principle in environmental protection and nature conservation. When the living environment is improved, the people will become an active force in preserving the environment and responding to climate change.

From a long-term perspective, the Vice President of the Vietnam Association for Nature and Environment Protection believes that, aiming for Vietnam to become a developed country with a safe and healthy living environment by 2045, the effective implementation of the Party's policies and resolutions on environmental protection needs to continue to be carried out synchronously, with the participation of the entire society.

This is a crucial foundation for ensuring sustainable growth, leading to the prosperity and happiness of the people.

(VNA/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/dai-hoi-xiv-cua-dang-bao-ve-moi-truong-la-dong-luc-cho-phat-trien-ben-vung-post1088528.vnp