GEF 6 side event calls for joining hands to protect ocean
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment organised a programme titled “Joining hands to protect the ocean” in Da Nang on June 26 in response to one of the themes of the 6th GEF Assembly which is taking place in Da Nang.
Participants in the “Joining hands to protect the ocean” programme clean up a beach in Da Nang city (Photo: VNA)
Da Nang (VNA) – Vietnam’s Ministry of Natural Resources andEnvironment (MoNRE) organised a programme titled “Joining hands to protect the ocean”in the central coastal city of Da Nang on June 26 in response to one of thethemes of the 6th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF)which is taking place in Da Nang.
Addressing the programme’slaunch, MoNRE Deputy Minister Vo Tuan Nhan said the increasing volume of trash,especially plastic oceanic waste, is threatening the beauty of Da Nang, whichhas won numerous titles such as the best city for living in Vietnam or one of themost favourite destinations in the world in 2015.
He stressed that plastic trash has become a big threat to the world’soceans in general and Vietnam’s seas in particular, calling on ministries,agencies, local administrations, organisations, businesses and individuals tojoin hands with the Natural Resources and Environment sector to carry outregular and effective campaigns to clean up the beaches, thus preserving themarine environment.
Under Secretary-General of the UNand Executive Director of UN-Habitat Maimunah Mohd Sharif told the event thatmarine pollution is one of the biggest concerns nowadays, which is worsening ata pace unseen before due to waste from industrial and agricultural productionas well as daily life.
She cited statistics of the World Economic Forum that around 8 milliontonnes of plastic waste were discharged into the ocean every year, while 3billion people around the world rely on the ocean for their livelihoods.
Therefore, it is necessary to raise people’s awareness about marinetrash and community responsibility in managing and protecting the marineenvironment.
The UN Under Secretary-General stressed that preservation andsustainable use of the ocean and marine resources as one of the SustainableDevelopment Goals set by the UN. She pledged to cooperate with and supportVietnamese partners, especially the MoNRE, in combating marine pollution.
Executive Coordinator of UNDP Global EnvironmentalFinance Adriana Dinu said with 3,000 km of coast, Vietnam contributes to andalso is affected by marine plastics. She stressed that with 20 percent of itsGDP comes from marine resources, Vietnam must take necessary measures toprotect and restore the ocean.
After the launch, more than 600 delegates, young people and local residentscollected trash and cleaned up the beaches, and planted trees.
The 6th GEF Assembly is taking place in Da Nang from June 23-29.-VNA
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Participants in the “Joining hands to protect the ocean” programme clean up a beach in Da Nang city (Photo: VNA) 
