A fish model made of environmentally-friendly material is set up at My Khe beach in Da Nang city, which enables locals and tourists to collect plastic waste. It aims to raise public awareness of plastic pollution in the ocean (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnamese Government has over the past time exerted agreat deal of effort in addressing plastic waste in oceans by introducingvarious policies and regulations to tackle the scourge.
Policies on reducing plastic waste inoceans
Torealise the target 14.1 stated in the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations onreducing ocean plastic pollution, the 12th Party Central Committee issued ResolutionNo 36-NQ/TW regarding Vietnam’s sustainable maritime economic development to2030 with a view to 2045, while the Prime Minister issued Decision No1746/QD-TTg approving the national action plan on ocean waste management to2030.
Thecountry set itself a target of preventing, controlling, and significantlymitigating marine pollution and playing a pioneering role in the region inreducing plastic waste in oceans.
TheMinistry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) has been ordered to prepareand carry out cooperation initiatives at regional and international forums aswell as promote the formation of partnerships in ocean plastic waste preventionand combat.
Aproject in Vietnam to reduce plastic waste in oceans was approved in July, sponsoredby the German Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation, and NuclearSafety.
Itis designed to build guiding documents and implement prioritised policies onplastic waste and communications, to raise public awareness and change attitudestowards plastic waste.
Garbage in Hon Son in Lai Son island commune in Kien Hai district of Kien Giang province (Photo: VNA) Theproject will be rolled out in seven localities in the central region and the MekongDelta and the three marine protected areas of Cu Lao Cham, Con Dao, and PhuQuoc.
Vietnam’sefforts in joining hands with the international community to reduce oceanplastic waste has also received support from international organisations via thecreation of projects.
WorldWide Fund for Nature (WWF) Vietnam Country Director Van Ngoc Thinh said the WWFappreciates the Vietnamese Government’s engagement and commitment in activitiesto cut plastic waste and protect marine ecosystems and environments.
Measures taken to cut plastic waste in oceans
Relevantagencies have been urged to compile a project on Vietnam’s participation in talks for a global deal tostop plastic waste at sea for submission to the Prime Minister for approval inthe second quarter of 2021, and to prepare for the fifth meeting of the UNEnvironment Assembly, slated for February next year.
TheVietnam Administration of Sea and Islands will partner with coastal localitiesand international organisations in the future on rolling out action plans andtasks related to reducing the amount of plastic that is washed into the world’soceans.
Raisingpublic awareness has a significant role to play in cutting plastic waste in oceans,to create positive change in consumer behaviour, especially by women, therebyencouraging the use of environmentally-friendly products and the collection andrecycling of plastic products.
Garbage in Dam Nai coastal area in Ninh Thuan (Photo: VNA) Inaddition, policies and regulations need to be strengthened to create a clearand effective legal corridor, in keeping with the circular economy, digitaltransformation, and corporate social responsibility.
Closecooperation with international organisations and development partners, plus thesharing of information and experience between countries and territories inplastic waste management, have also brought positive results.
MoNREhas also taken part in the Global Plastic Action Partnership and will kick-startprogrammes on plastic and reducing plastic waste in oceans./.
