Workshop promotes resources accounting, sustainable blue economy development

At the workshop in Ha Long on March 3 (Photo: baoquangninh.vn)

Quang Ninh (VNA) – A regional workshop on ocean accounts in Southeast Asia took place in Ha Long City, the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh on March 3, bringing together policymakers and technical experts from 10 countries and international organisations.

Organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment’s Institute Of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment, the global forum on natural capital accounting, and the University of New South Wales, the event aimed to share experiences and develop ocean accounts at local, national, and regional levels.

A representative from the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment underscored Vietnam’s strong potential in developing a blue economy with its diverse marine and coastal ecosystems. However, the fragmented growth of marine industries and potential conflicts between economic development and ecosystem protection remain key challenges. Marine resources accounting is being adopted globally as a solution, providing a four-dimensional statistical framework that assesses resource quantity, environmental quality, economic value, and ecosystem services. This approach helps shape sustainable development strategies and conservation policies.

Discussions at the workshop focused on key topics such as ocean accounting for sustainable ocean development in Vietnam, the country’s practical experiences in marine and coastal resource accounting, as well as green economy and green finance.

Experts also exchanged insights on sustainable blue economy promotion, case studies on marine and coastal resource accounting, the integration of resource accounting into local and national statistical systems and the development of a unified marine and coastal resource accounting framework for Southeast Asia./.

VNA