Vietnam determined to protect the environment: Deputy PM

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung has affirmed the Vietnamese Government’s determination to protect the environment, with a viewpoint of prioritising the environment over economic development, at a reception held in Hanoi on August for Erik Solheim, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment).

Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung (right) and UN Environment Executive Director Erik Solheim.

The deputy PM recognised and spoke highly of the UN Environment’s cooperation and support over the past few years, with its significant contributions to preserving the environment in Vietnam, through providing technical assistance and advice on environmental policies and laws; sharing experience in the field; improving the quality of environmental human resources; and supporting environmental projects in Vietnam.

Environmental protection is a pressing global issue and a long-term and continuous process, requiring the joint efforts of the whole international community, as well as the determination of all countries and governments, Dung said.

He noted that Vietnam has set out directions for green and environmentally friendly development, with science and technology playing a leading role, whilst the private sector pioneering in minimising greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring on-site waste treatment.

The deputy PM asked the UN Environment to continue supporting Vietnam in reviewing, adjusting and finalising environmental policies and laws; implementing national action programmes concerning adaptation to climate change and rising sea waters, greenhouse gas emission reduction and forest protection; and constructing national reports on the execution of international treaties on the environment, to which Vietnam is a signatory.

The UN body should also send experts to share their experience with the Vietnamese side in terms of environmental protection, as well as other relevant issues, whilst supporting the improvement of the quality of Vietnam’s environment human resources.

For his part, Erik Solheim congratulated Vietnam on its outstanding socio-economic achievements, particularly in agriculture, whilst expressing his hopes that the country will continuously build on this success in the environmental fields.

Sharing Deputy PM Dung’s stance that the issue of environmental protection requires long-term collaboration, the guest emphasised the UN Environment’s pledge to accompany countries, including Vietnam, in order to further promote cooperation and support in the field of the environment.

He expressed his delight at Vietnam’s achievements in preserving rare animals, via the UN Environment delegation’s visit to the Cuc Phuong National Park.

The issue of green finance, associated with sustainable development, has been under implementation by the UN, Solheim said, adding that as a developing nation, Vietnam has a lot of opportunities to access funding for its environmental protection efforts.

(Source: NDO)