Hanoi (VNA) – A sea-based economy holdsthe key position in sustainably developing the sea and the islands, accordingto Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha.

He made the confirmation in an article writtenahead of the 8th session of the 12th Party Central Committee from October 2 to6. The Vietnam Maritime Strategy towards 2020 is part of the event’s agenda.

The minister emphasised that Vietnam is a littoralnation with its history, traditions and culture closely connected with the sea.The East Sea holds a pivotal role in the country’s geostrategy, politics, economyand nature.

Amidst the trend of developing and capitalisingon marine potential and advantages, the 10th Party Central Committee issuedResolution No. 09-NQ/TW, dated February 9, 2007, on the Vietnam maritime strategytowards 2020. This is a big and visionary policy matching the global trend andmeeting requirements in the cause of national building and defence.

Minister Ha said over the 10 years of theimplementation of the resolution, a number of fundamental and importantachievements have been gained, from mindset to awareness and from economy todefence and security ensuring, diplomacy and international cooperation.

However, to become a strong maritime nation inthe new context, Vietnam needs a breakthrough mindset that comes in line withthe world’s sustainable development trend and ensures harmony betweendevelopment and conservation. 

Building a sea-based economy on the foundationof knowledge, creativity and natural potential plays the central role, and thismust be the strategic orientation for the viewpoints and targets on sustainablemaritime development of Vietnam, he wrote.

Ha noted that global challenges, especiallyenvironmental degradation and pollution, biological degradation and climatechange, have been seriously threatening the health of the seas and oceansaround the globe, including in Vietnam.

In the past, economic development and marineenvironment protection were not connected closely. The health of Vietnam’s seaareas has not been ensured as the country has yet to succeed in harmonising theutilisation of marine resources with the protection and recovery of marine andcoastal ecosystems.

To develop a sea-based economy, it is necessaryto reduce marine pollution sources right in the mainland by simultaneouslycurbing the expansion of industries using outdated and polluting technologies,and promoting the recycle and reuse of products and emissions generated by oneindustry in other sectors, he said.

He also called for stronger investment to theconservation and development of biodiversity values by expanding and setting upmarine conservation areas and reviving natural ecosystems, particularly coralreefs, seagrasses, mangrove forests and coastal protection forests.

Vietnam should improve the disaster forecastingand warning capacity, stay active in preventing and mitigating disasters atsea, and adapt to climate change.

Additionally, the country also needs to restructuresea-based economic sectors and to prioritise marine tourism, renewable energyand marine biotechnology, aside from continuing to step up traditionalindustries like shipping, petroleum and marine resources exploitation,aquaculture, fishing, and shipbuilding, Minister Ha wrote.

He added the potential of Vietnam’s sea-basedeconomy has yet to be fully tapped, partly because of a shortage ofhigh-quality manpower in marine science and technology. Therefore, modernscience – technology and high-quality human resources are breakthrough factorsthat will help with sustainable marine development in the time ahead.

The official concluded that to become a stronglittoral nation, Vietnam needs to boost consistent awareness of the role andthe special importance of the sea in the cause of national development anddefence among the whole Party, people and army. Sustainable marine developmentmust be the responsibility of the entire political system as well as the rightand obligation of each organisation, business, community and citizen, theminister said. –VNA