Protecting the marine environment and restoring the marine ecosystem are major objectives in the sustainable development strategy for Vietnam’s marine economy until 2030, with a vision to 2045, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Quy Kien said at a meeting in Hanoi on May 22.
Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Quy Kien presides over the meeting. Photo: Anh Kiet
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According to the United Nations’ latest statistics, around eight million tons of plastic waste are dumped into the ocean worldwide every year. Vietnam ranks fourth worldwide in the amount of plastic waste dumped into the sea, with about 730,000 tons each year, Kien cited.
He affirmed that Vietnam considers plastic waste management a priority. Vietnam continues to make efforts to clean up the country’s beaches and encourages people and tourists to take action for environmental protection.
In May 2018, Vietnam adjusted the national strategy on plastic waste management until 2025, with a vision to 2050. Up to now, there have been 58 international organizations in Vietnam signing the Code of Conduct for handling marine plastic pollution, the deputy minister said.
He added that Vietnam’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has also worked with the World Bank in building the "Establishing East Asian partnership on marine plastic waste management" project. Besides, the ministry has collaborated with Japanese partners to promote the establishment of an international research center on marine plastic waste in Vietnam.
Around eight million tons of plastic waste are dumped into the ocean worldwide every year. Photo: Internet
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Besides, Vietnam needs to manage marine plastic pollution from land-based waste sources and marine waste sources, take measures to raise people’s awareness of plastic consumption, Thi added.
He stressed that Vietnam has a long coastline with 112 estuaries, but currently has no technology to treat marine pollution effectively and ensure environmental safety.
The official said that his administration had drafted possible contents for cooperation with Japan such as sharing experience in management of maritime environment and resources, sea-based economic development and marine science. The agency will soon begin building a project on cooperation with Japan in addressing the marine plastic waste problem, Thi noted.
“In terms of solutions for marine plastic waste in Vietnam, we need to improve the legal policies on plastic waste management. Besides, we need to find solutions to data on marine plastic waste management, scientific and technological solutions, promote propaganda to raise public awareness and strengthen international and regional cooperation to handle marine plastic pollution,” Thi told Hanoitimes.
