World Environment Day (June) 5.6 was launched by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) with the theme "Solutions to plastic pollution", in which the campaign "Fighting plastic pollution" is focused on. World Oceans Day (2023) 8.6 with the theme "Ocean planet - Tides is changing", emphasizing turning commitments into practical actions, widely applying solutions to reduce plastic, aiming to prevent the trend of increasing pollution and environmental degradation; innovate, create global awareness about seas and oceans…
In association with the theme of World Oceans Day, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment launched Vietnam Seas and Islands Week (from June 1 to 8.6) with the theme: "Sustainably exploiting and using natural resources and protecting the environment of sea and islands" with a view to the goal that by 2030, sea and island resources will be rationally exploited, effectively and fairly used.
The organizers of the program presented the national flag and medicine bags to 10 typical fishermen of Nghe An province
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh stated: Vietnam is a country of the sea and the sea is an integral part of the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland; is a survival space, a gateway for international exchanges, closely associated with the cause of national construction and defense. Therefore, sustainable development of the marine economy is one of the major policies of our Party and State with the view of sustainable development of the marine economy on the basis of green growth, conservation of biodiversity and marine ecosystems, creating a driving force for national economic development, achieving the goal of turning Vietnam into a strong maritime nation.
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh emphasized the importance of sea and ocean nature for human life. However, people are facing extremely pressing problems of the environment, climate change and sea level rise, plastic waste, etc., which require cooperation and joint resolution of countries. 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 country's poverty reduction, millennium development and sustainable development goals, requiring us to have practical and timely response solutions," Khanh said.
Leaders of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Vietnam Elderly Association give gratitude gifts to the elderly in Nghe An
According to Mr. Khanh, in recent years, environmental protection and management of marine and island resources in Vietnam have been focused, but there are still 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. Minister Dang Quoc Khanh called on the whole country to join hands to protect the environment, protect seas and oceans, exploit and sustainably use marine and island resources.
At the ceremony, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment outlined 6 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 and disregarding the maintenance and protection of the environment. Second, 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 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; Strengthen environmental protection, especially in coastal waters, handle pollution sources, say no to plastic waste... Fourth, make the most of advantages to develop tourism and marine service 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. Fifth, 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 international law, UNCLOS 1982, ensuring maritime security and safety, contributing to building an environment of peace, stability, cooperation and development. Sixth, well carry out the propaganda, education and raising awareness about the country's sea and islands, the sense of protecting marine resources and environment; turning awareness into self-consciousness and concrete and practical action at each level, each industry, each enterprise and each individual.
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh and other 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 and advantages of the sea, implement the country's economic development in a sustainable way, creating a premise for Vietnam to move closer to the goal of building a future in harmony with nature by 2050," Khanh said.
At the Launching Ceremony, Ms. Ramla Khalidi, Chief Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Organization in Vietnam (UNDP) suggested that Vietnam should make efforts to transition towards a sustainable economy, especially through the promotion of the National Marine Spatial Plan, to exploit the huge potential of offshore wind power development in Vietnam, which, when realized, can contribute to meeting the ambitions of the ambitious Energy Plan VIII and net zero emissions by 0 as committed in the ambitious Power Plan VIII. COP 2050.
Vietnam needs to continue its efforts to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities. As the Chair of the ASEAN Disaster Prevention and Control Committee, Vietnam can showcase its achievements such as mangrove planting, building flood-resistant houses, and community-based disaster risk reduction to countries in the region and around the world.
On this occasion, Minister Dang Quoc Khanh gave dozens of gifts to the poor in Nghe An; The Labor Newspaper has donated 10.000 national flags to fishermen of Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces; The program organizers also presented 10 medicine bags and national flags to typical fishermen of Nghe An province.
PHAM NGAN
