Deputy Minister of Public Security, Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Van Thanh at the award ceremony in Chile (Photo: VNA) Antofagasta (VNA) – Deputy Minister of Public Security, Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Van Thanh has won the silver prize of Best Practices Awards Programme of the Energy Smart Communities Initiative (ESCI) under the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
With a project on turning Vietnam’s Hai Phong into a green port city, Thanh, who is former Secretary of the city’s Party Committee, brought home the silver prize in the category of Low Carbon Model Towns.
Addressing the award ceremony in Chile’s Antofagasta on October 14, Thanh said his project aims to build Hai Phong as an ecosystem, with scientific applications in planning, management and development.
Activities that target the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, environmental protection and climate change adaptation will serve as a driving force for green growth and sustainable economic development, he said.
Regarding the application of the model in APEC economies, especially developing and developed ones, Thanh stressed the need to raise public awareness, create new momentum for the economy, generate more jobs and shift towards renewable energy.
He also suggested expanding the public transport system, increase the use of bio-energy and consolidate natural infrastructure, including water and land resources.
To maintain and develop natural resources, and reduce pollutants, it is necessary to develop and duplicate the model of low-carbon cities, he said.
According to organisers, 63 cases from 17 APEC economies participated in the 2019 ESCI Best Practices Awards Program. A total of 25 finalists come from 13 economies have undergone the stress and strain of tough semi-final competition to become the last 11 winners.
Ten other winners were honoured in the categories of Smart Transport, Smart Buildings, Smart Grids, and Smart Jobs and Consumers./.
VNA
