Drastic actions needed to save oceans: Deputy PM

Photo caption: Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh speaks at the International Conference on Sustainable Ocean Economy and Climate Change Adaptation. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Hanoi (VNA) - The conference was held on May 12 and 13 both online and in person by the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The event drew the participation of more than 70 countries and territories as well as many international organisations.

“If countries are not able to take drastic actions to better protect the oceans, it is possible that islands, coastal region and natural ecosystems will disappear by 2100”, he said.

Thanh emphasised that as marine pollution and ocean plastic waste are urgent global issues, countries should establish a global system to monitor, share data, provide a scientific basis for ocean plastic waste on national, regional and global scales.

In the coming period, nations need to overcome challenges in their efforts to tackle ocean plastic pollution on a global scale. They also need to sustainably manage resources and activities at sea such as aquaculture, fishing, shipping, marine and coastal tourism, and energy development in oceans, he stated.

Developed countries should be responsible for providing financial support, sharing management experience and transferring technologies. Developing nations need strive to soon master science and technology of the blue economy so as to solve global sea and ocean issues together, Thanh added.

He laid stress on the significance to develop sustainable sea-based economy in response to climate change, describing it a mission of all countries.

The marine economy is only branched out successfully with close coordination of all nations, and based on respect of each country’s territory and benefits as well as the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, he said.

Photo: Models of flood-resistant houses in the central of Vietnam (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Minh Ngan stressed that protecting the health of oceans is a sustainable guarantee for economic growth and social prosperity. It also brings food security, livelihoods and employment in many countries, especially for vulnerable ones such as small developing island nations, and low coastal states.

Vietnam takes its responsibility seriously as an active member in the international community, and is ready to cooperate with other countries and partners to share scientific knowledge, experience, resources and overall management initiatives for a sustainable ocean economy and climate change adaptation, Ngan added.

Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt said: “This conference is addressing some of the most important issues of our time. Norway and Vietnam’s objective is to push the climate and ocean agenda forward.  We live in a time of global turbulence. Global cooperation is more important than ever. We need consequential and immediate action. And it is our responsibility to keep building the momentum."

“The COVID-19 recovery provides the opportunity for countries and communities to ‘re-boot’ their approach to the blue economy. UNDP and the UN family stand ready to help countries shape a sustainable blue economy using innovative, science-based solutions. Working with local communities, and with broad alliances, we will ‘co-create’ new blue economy solutions -- recognising that our greatest hope to build a sustainable future for people and planet lies in human ingenuity and collective commitment to this cause,” stated Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator.

Themed “Solutions for a climate resilient Blue Economy”, the two-day conference attracted the participation of over 400 delegates from 70 countries, including leaders, experts, scientists and representatives from non-governmental organisations and research centres./.