Full text of Minister Dang Quoc Khanh's speech at the Circular Economy Forum 2023

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha attended the Forum.

Dear Comrade Tran Hong Ha, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Deputy Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Distinguished delegates, esteemed guests,

Allow me to begin my remarks with a sincere thank you to all the delegates and distinguished guests who have attended and participated in the discussions at the Vietnam Circular Economy Forum 2023 today.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha for his continued attention, close guidance, and for attending and delivering a keynote address at the Forum today. The Deputy Prime Minister's presence is of significant importance in strengthening awareness and implementation within the political system, among the people, and the business community, promoting the development of a circular economy; further affirming the Government's stance on fulfilling Vietnam's international commitments to environmental protection and climate change adaptation, especially the goal of net zero emissions by 2050, and building a green and circular economy.

Dear Deputy Prime Minister,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Currently, environmental and climate issues are always placed at the top of the agendas of the Vietnamese Party and State leaders, as well as in the country's socio-economic development programs and plans, with the highest goal being to protect the health of the people, ensure the quality of the living environment, and protect biodiversity and ecosystems. Building a green, circular, and environmentally friendly economy has been clearly demonstrated in the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws and regulations. The Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Party affirmed the principle of "building a green, circular, and environmentally friendly economy," and "developing a roadmap, mechanisms, policies, and laws to form and operate a circular economy model."

To implement the major and important orientations and policies of the Party and State aimed at promoting the circular economy in Vietnam, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, in coordination with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and domestic and international partners, organized the "Vietnam Circular Economy Forum 2023" with the theme "Developing a National Action Plan for Circular Economy Implementation" to identify a roadmap, promote public-private cooperation, and mobilize bilateral and multilateral resources from international organizations and the business community to effectively implement the National Action Plan for Circular Economy in Vietnam in the coming time.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh speaks at the Forum.

The Vietnam Circular Economy Forum 2023, held close to COP28 in the United Arab Emirates, conveyed profound significance in communicating Vietnam's message to the international community regarding the challenges, risks, and negative impacts of climate change, and Vietnam's proactive and positive efforts in responding to global climate change. It emphasized strengthening the participation of businesses, including pioneering enterprises in reducing greenhouse gas emissions (businesses implementing carbon neutrality plans, energy transitions, etc.). It also promoted cooperation with bilateral and multilateral partners, international organizations, and international financial institutions to mobilize support for Vietnam's implementation of the circular economy model.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment fully accepts the opinions and directives of the Deputy Prime Minister and the contributions of delegates at the Forum's Plenary Session. These are valuable opinions and an important basis for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to further refine the National Action Plan for implementing the circular economy; build and operate a platform for connecting information and sharing data on the application of the circular economy model; issue a framework for guiding the application and evaluation of the circular economy; establish mechanisms to encourage and create financial mechanisms for the development of the circular economy in a competitive market context; and promote the participation of the business community in the process of transforming management structures, innovating, and accessing advanced technologies and production methods to contribute to Vietnam's transition to a circular economy.

small_pttg-vs-bt(1).jpg — Delegates attending the Forum

To ensure effective implementation of the National Action Plan on Circular Economy immediately after its issuance by the Prime Minister, thereby creating momentum for socio-economic development and environmental protection,

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment requests that central ministries and agencies, and local governments integrate the circular economy into the development of strategies, programs, plans, and projects; and coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to develop and issue a Circular Economy Implementation Plan consistent with the national plan and the characteristics of each sector, field, and locality. During implementation, they should regularly update and share information with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to promptly report to the Prime Minister for guidance.

The business community and production, business, and service establishments are responsible for establishing management systems and implementing measures to exploit and use resources economically and efficiently, reduce emissions, and improve the level of recycling and reuse of waste from the project construction and design stages to the production and distribution stages of products and goods.

The delegates took a commemorative photo.

Distinguished delegates and esteemed guests,

On this occasion, on behalf of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Party and State leaders, especially Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, for their continued attention and guidance in implementing actions to respond to climate change, promote the circular economy, and protect the environment and resources.

small_pttg-xem-gian-hang1(1).jpg — Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and Minister Dang Quoc Khanh visited the circular economy exhibition booths.

We sincerely thank the ministries, departments, localities, partners, international organizations, the business community, and the people for their active response and participation in environmental and climate activities with many practical initiatives applying the circular economy model.

I hereby declare the closing of the Plenary Session of the Vietnam Circular Economy Forum 2023. I wish good health to the Deputy Prime Minister and all distinguished delegates and guests.

Thank you very much./.

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