Vietnam, EU join hands for clean environment

On May 12, the event themed “Vietnam - EU joining hands for a clean environment”  was held in Ha Long city by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the Quang Ninh provincial People’s Committee, the EU Delegation to Việt Nam, and Sun Group. 

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Ninh Province Cao Tuong Huy, leaders and representatives of departments and branches of Quang Ninh Province, representatives of ministries and central agencies, EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier, Ambassadors, Charge d'Affaires and Spouses, and officials and staff of the EU Delegation and Embassies of EU member states in Vietnam.

In her remarks, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang  emphasised that the protection of the marine environment is facing numerous challenges such as pollution risks posed by untreated waste and wastewater, as well as people’s limited awareness of the issue.

She said to address these challenges, aside from efforts by the entire political system, the MoFA has actively promoted cooperation with other countries and international organisations in terms of environmental protection and climate change response.

The EU and its member nations have significantly contributed to environmental protection and climate change response worldwide, she went on, noting that they have actively assisted Vietnam in this regard through cooperation projects on climate change response, biodiversity conservation, forest protection, and waste treatment, among others.

Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party's Committee cum Chairman of the provincial People's Committee, Cao Tuong Huy, highlighted the importance of green growth in the long-term developing strategies of Quang Ninh province.  He added that Vietnam wishes to continue receiving the effective cooperation and assistance from the EU and its members in promoting the awareness and capacity of protecting the environment and recovering soil, forest and marine ecosystems.

For his part, Ambassador and head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam Julien Guerrier highlighted the event’s importance to Vietnam’s efforts towards green and sustainable development. Speaking highly of Vietnam’s commitments to building a green and circular economy and achieving net zero emissions by 2050, he affirmed that the EU will always stand side by side and support the country to carry out the initiatives on climate change response and environmental protection so as to help fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals.

After the opening ceremony, nearly 200 delegates engaged in the collection of waste along Bai Chay beach and on Ha Long Bay. They were also joined by a large number of local residents and tourists.