Many coral reefs in Vietnam should be protected. (Photo: VNA) The conference is being held on May 12 and 13 in both online and offline formats by the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and theNorwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the support of the United NationsDevelopment Programme (UNDP).
Thanh emphasised that as marine pollution andocean plastic waste are urgent global issues, countries should establish aglobal system to monitor, share data, provide a scientific basis for oceanplastic waste from the national, regional and world scales.
In the coming period, nations need to overcome challenges intheir efforts to tackle ocean plastic pollution on a global scale, andsustainably manage resources and activities at sea such as aquaculture,fishing, shipping, marine and coastal tourism, and energy development inoceans, he stated.
Developed countries should be responsible for providing financialsupport, sharing management experience and transferring technologies, while developing nations need strive to soon master science and technology of the blue economyso as to solve global sea and ocean issues together, Thanh added.
Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le MinhNgan stressed that protecting the health of oceans is a sustainable guaranteefor economic growth and social prosperity, food security, livelihoods andemployment in many countries, especially for vulnerable ones such as small developingisland nations, and low coastal states.
Vietnam has always shown its responsibility as an activemember in the international community, and is ready to cooperate with othercountries and partners to share scientific knowledge, experience, resources andoverall management initiatives for a sustainable ocean economy and climatechange adaptation, Ngan added.
Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldtsaid: “This conference is addressing some of the most important issues of ourtime. Norway and Vietnam’s objective is to push the climate and ocean agendaforward. We live in a time of globalturbulence. Global cooperation is moreimportant than ever. We need consequential and immediate action. And it is ourresponsibility to keep building the momentum."
“The COVID-19 recovery provides the opportunity for countriesand communities to ‘re-boot’ their approach to the blue economy. UNDP and theUN family stand ready to help countries shape a sustainable blue economy usinginnovative, science-based solutions. Working with local communities, and with broad alliances, we will‘co-create’ new blue economy solutions -- recognising that our greatest hope tobuild a sustainable future for people and planet lies in human ingenuity andcollective commitment to this cause,” stated Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator.
Themed “Solutions for a climate resilient Blue Economy”, thetwo-day conference attracted the participation of over 400 delegates from 70countries, including leaders, experts, scientists and representatives fromnon-governmental organisations and research centres./.
VNA
