On the occasion of World Oceans Day 2023, Vietnam Sea and Islands Week (June 1-8, 6), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment calls on the community to take practical actions to contribute to environmental protection. environment, protect seas and oceans; sustainable exploitation and use of marine and island resources.
Sustainable development of the marine economy (KTB) has always been one of the great policies of the Party and State. On the occasion of World Oceans Day 2023, Vietnam Sea and Islands Week (June 1-8, 6), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (TN&MT) calls on the community to take practical actions to contribute environmental protection (environmental protection), sea and ocean protection; sustainable exploitation and use of marine and island resources.
Marine economy - one of the important driving forces for the development of the country
Vietnam is a country located on the west coast of the East Sea with a coastline of more than 3.260 km stretching from North to South and 100 km of coastline for every 2 km1 of land. In the history of thousands of years of national construction and defense of the nation, rivers and islands have always been associated with the process of building and developing the country and people of Vietnam. Today, with about 50% of the country's population living in lowland and coastal areas, KTB holds an increasingly important position in the country's socio-economic development strategy.
Annually, sea and island tourism brings 70% of revenue to the tourism industry in the country. In 2022, the volume of goods transported by sea is estimated at 108,9 million tons, up 27,9% compared to 2021; oil and gas exploitation output reached 18,92 million tons; aquaculture production reached 3,86 million tons, aquaculture reached 5,16 million tons...
The whole country currently has 18/19 coastal economic zones in the established planning; has formed a chain of coastal urban areas with nearly 600 urban centers, accounting for about 8% of the number of urban centers in the country with a population of about 19 million people.
With such an important role, for many years, sustainable development of the ecoregion has always been one of the great policies of our Party and State with the viewpoint: sustainable development of the ecoregion on the basis of green growth and conservation. biodiversity, marine ecosystems; ensure harmony between economic and natural ecosystems, between conservation and development, between the interests of localities with sea and localities without sea; strengthen linkages and restructure industries and fields towards improving productivity, quality, efficiency and competitiveness; promote the potential and advantages of the sea, create a driving force for the country's economic development, and achieve the goal of turning Vietnam into a strong maritime nation.
Vinh Hy Bay (Ninh Hai). Photo: CTV
Implementing the guidelines of the Party and State, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has actively advised the Party and State to promulgate many important guidelines and policies on resource management, environmental protection, and response to climate change. climate change) and sustainable development of KTB. Thereby, gradually raising public awareness about the harmful effects of products derived from plastic, single-use plastic bags to the environment, ecosystem and human health; The recommendation of people to limit the use of single-use plastic products and non-biodegradable plastic bags and encourage the production of environmentally friendly products to replace traditional plastic products is implemented synchronously across the country. ; Many movements to prevent and combat plastic waste were launched, attracting the participation of a large number of people.
Along with that, the promotion of KTB development is also focused. Accordingly, the infrastructure system in the sea and coastal areas is interested in investment; scientific research, basic investigation, development of human resources on the sea achieved many positive results; The management, exploitation, use and protection of marine environmental resources, response to climate change and sea level rise are focused... Up to now, 12 marine protected areas have been established nationwide with a total area. more than 206.000 hectares, including 185.000 hectares of sea…
Sustainable exploitation and use of marine and island resources
Vietnam is considered as one of the vulnerable countries and suffers from many negative impacts of climate change, environmental pollution, and sea level rise. That poses many challenges to the implementation of the poverty reduction goals, the Millennium Development Goals and the country's sustainable development.
In addition, the environmental protection and management of marine and island resources of Vietnam are also facing many challenges: the marine environment is polluted; natural resources and biodiversity continue to decline; exploitation and use of sea and island resources is still inefficient and unsustainable. In addition, people's awareness of exploitation and use of natural resources is not high, consumption habits of single-use plastic products have been putting great pressure on management and environmental protection... This requires practical and timely response solutions.
On June 4, 6, at the National Launching Ceremony of Vietnam Sea and Islands Week, Action Month for the Environment, in response to World Environment Day, World Oceans Day 2023, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang. Quoc Khanh calls on ministries, branches, central mass organizations, local governments, organizations, individuals and businesses to take practical actions to solve the problem of plastic waste pollution, contributing part of environmental protection, protection of seas and oceans; sustainable exploitation and use of marine and island resources.
In particular, focus on being unified in awareness and action to behave responsibly with the sea and ocean according to the guidelines of the Party, policies and laws of the State and international law; overcome and eliminate the idea of pursuing immediate economic benefits while 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.
At the same time, implementing management, environmental protection and sustainable development of seas and islands, effectively deploying appropriate strategies and policies to limit ocean plastic waste, conserve biodiversity, and restore marine ecosystems… Prioritize investment, promote basic investigation, scientific and technological research, and develop high-quality marine human resources.
Besides, taking full advantage to develop tourism and marine services industries so that Vietnam becomes an attractive destination of the world; synchronously and effectively exploiting seaports and shipping services... Well implementing propaganda, education and raising awareness about the country's seas and islands, the sense of protecting marine natural resources and environment...
According to Ms. Ramla Khalidi, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Vietnam, sustainable use of the seas and oceans will be key to building a prosperous and sustainable future for the people. Vietnam. Therefore, UNDP shares three goals that Vietnam needs to work towards, which are: Strengthening efforts to transition towards a sustainable marine economy (partly through accelerating marine spatial planning); continue to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities (by planting mangroves, building storm-resistant housing, community-based disaster risk reduction and prediction actions) ; agree on commitments and actions with the participation of all stakeholders including Government, private sector, community, households and every individual.
Previously, on April 3, 4, the Government issued Resolution No. 2023/NQ-CP approving the Strategy for exploitation and sustainable use of natural resources and environmental protection of sea and islands until 48, with a vision to 2030. 2050.
The resolution clearly states that, with specific goals by 2030, marine and island resources will be properly exploited and effectively used for rapid and sustainable development of marine and coastal areas, especially those in the coastal areas. Key economic zones in order of priority: Tourism and marine services; maritime economy; exploiting oil and gas and other marine mineral resources; aquaculture and fishing; coastal industry; renewable energy and new economic sectors; improve the lives and livelihoods of the community.
Along with that, marine environmental pollution will be controlled, prevented and minimized… By 2030, in coastal urban areas, 100% of hazardous wastes and domestic solid wastes will be collected and treated up to the prescribed standards. environmental standards; 100% of economic zones, industrial parks and coastal urban areas are planned and built in the direction of sustainability, ecology, intelligence, adaptation to climate change, sea level rise, and centralized wastewater treatment system. , meet the standards, regulations on environment and marine environment capacity, resilience and resilience of marine and island ecosystems.
At the same time, well manage and protect marine, coastal and island ecosystems, increase the area of protected marine conservation zones, marine and coastal areas to at least 6% of the natural area of the national sea, including marine and coastal conservation zones; breeding areas, areas where young aquatic species live, habitats, migration routes of aquatic species, biosphere reserves, RAMSAR areas...; restore the coastal mangrove area to at least 2000 levels.
Effectively respond to natural disasters, climate change and sea level rise based on sustainable use of resources and environmental protection of sea and islands along with enhanced capacity to forecast and warn of natural disasters, climate change and impacts of sea level rise … Establishing a general information system on resources and environment of sea and islands, ensuring integration, sharing and updating.
According to VNA
