Launching the National Week of Vietnam Sea and Islands

World Environment Day (June 5) 2023 was launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) with the theme "Solutions to plastic pollution", focusing on implementing the campaign "Fighting plastic pollution". World Oceans Day (June 8) 2023 has the theme "Ocean Planet - Changing Tides", emphasizing the transformation of commitments into practical actions, widely applying solutions to reduce plastic, aiming to prevent the trend of increasing pollution and environmental degradation; innovating and creating global awareness of the sea and ocean...
In conjunction with the theme of World Oceans Day, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment launched the Vietnam Sea and Islands Week (from June 1 to 8) with the theme: "Exploiting and sustainably using resources, protecting the marine and island environment" to aim for the goal that by 2030, marine and island resources will be exploited reasonably, used effectively and fairly to serve socio-economic development, in conjunction with ensuring national defense, security, foreign affairs and international cooperation.

The program organizers presented national flags and medicine bags to 10 outstanding fishermen of Nghe An province.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh stated: Vietnam is a maritime nation and the sea is a component of the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland; it is a living space, a gateway for international exchange, closely linked to the cause of building and defending the Fatherland. Therefore, sustainable development of the marine economy is one of the major policies of our Party and State with the viewpoint of sustainable development of the marine economy on the basis of green growth, conservation of biodiversity, marine ecosystems, creating momentum for the country's economic development, achieving the goal of making Vietnam a strong maritime nation.
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh emphasized the importance of marine and ocean nature to human life. However, humans are facing extremely urgent environmental issues, climate change and rising sea levels, plastic waste, etc., requiring cooperation and joint efforts from countries to solve. According to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, our country is facing many challenges when the problem of white pollution is closely related to economic development and social stability. "That poses many challenges to the implementation of the goals of poverty reduction, the millennium development goals and sustainable development of the country, requiring us to have practical and timely response solutions," said Mr. Khanh.

Leaders of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Vietnam Association of the Elderly presented gifts of gratitude to the elderly in Nghe An

According to Mr. Khanh, in recent years, Vietnam's environmental protection and management of marine and island resources have received attention, but there are still 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. Minister Dang Quoc Khanh called on the whole country to join hands to protect the environment, protect the sea and ocean, and exploit and use marine and island resources sustainably.
At the ceremony, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment outlined six main tasks and solutions to protect resources and develop the marine economy sustainably. First, to act responsibly towards the sea and ocean in accordance with the Party's guidelines, the State's policies and laws, and international law. Overcoming and eliminating the mindset of pursuing immediate economic benefits while neglecting the maintenance and protection of the environment. Second, to manage, protect the environment, and sustainably develop the sea and islands, effectively implementing 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, to 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, handling pollution sources, saying no to plastic waste... Fourthly, making the most of advantages to develop tourism and marine services to make Vietnam an attractive destination in the world; synchronously and effectively exploiting seaports and maritime transport services; improving the efficiency of exploiting marine mineral resources associated with deep processing. Fifthly, continuing 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 a peaceful, stable, cooperative and developing environment. Sixthly, doing a good job of propaganda, education and raising awareness of the Fatherland's seas and islands, awareness of protecting marine resources and environment; Turn awareness into self-awareness and specific, practical actions at each level, each industry, each enterprise and each individual.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh and units and organizations join hands to clean Cua Lo beach

The Minister called on every citizen, business and organization to become an active and enthusiastic nucleus, playing an important role in the process of reducing plastic pollution, protecting the environment and responding to climate change. "We need to promote the potential advantages of the sea, develop the country's economy in a sustainable manner, creating a premise for Vietnam to move closer to the goal of building a future of living in harmony with nature by 2050," said Mr. Khanh.
At the launching ceremony, Ms. Ramla Khalidi, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Vietnam, suggested that Vietnam should make efforts to transform towards a sustainable economy, especially through promoting the National Marine Spatial Planning, to exploit Vietnam's huge offshore wind power development potential, which, when realized, can contribute to meeting the ambitious energy targets in the Power Plan VIII and achieving the net zero emissions target by 2050 as committed at COP 26.
Vietnam needs to continue its efforts to enhance the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities. As the Chair of the ASEAN Disaster Management Committee, Vietnam can showcase its achievements such as mangrove planting, flood-resistant housing construction, and community-based disaster risk reduction to countries in the region and around the world.
On this occasion, Minister Dang Quoc Khanh presented dozens of gifts to the poor in Nghe An; Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper presented 10,000 national flags to fishermen in Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces; The program's organizing committee also presented 10 bags of medicine and national flags to outstanding fishermen in Nghe An province.

PHAM NGAN

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