UN Habitat willing to work with Vietnam in handling plastic waste
The UN Human Settlement Programme (UN Habitat) is willing to cooperate with Vietnam in urgent issues such as plastic waste and preservation of ancient cities, said Maimunah Mohd Sharif, UN Under Secretary-General and Executive Director of the UN Habitat.
People join hands to collect garbage in a programme to protect the ocean (Photo: VNA)
Da Nang (VNA) – The UN Human Settlement Programme (UN Habitat) is willing to cooperate with Vietnam in urgent issues such as plastic waste and preservation of ancient cities, said Maimunah Mohd Sharif, UN Under Secretaryꦡ-General and Executive Director of the UN Habitat.
She made the statement during her meeting with Vietnamese Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha on June 26, within the framework of the sixth Global Environment Facility Assembly (GEF 6), which is underway in the central city of Da Nang. The Vietnamese Minister thanked the UN Habitat for its cooperation and support for Vietnam over the years. He also briefed his guest on UN Habitat’s projects to help Vietnam tackle challenges on urban areas, which focus on key determinants for sustainable urbanisation and inclusive urban development. Main fields of UN Habitat’s projects in Vietnam include land and housing, urban governance and planning, and environmentally sound urban infrastructure and services, among others. The two sides took the occasion to put forward some cooperation possibilities in the coming time. Accordingly, UN Habitat may send international experts from prestigious research institutes to assist Vietnam in land use planning, land management and supervision of sustainable land use and resettlement. In addition, the Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands will join hands with UN Habitat Vietnam to improve environment for human settlement and ecological system at the Mekong Delta, aiming to prevent risks of climate change impacts.-VNA
The sixth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility and related meetings will take place in the central city of Da Nang from June 23-29, said the Office of the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
The 54th Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council Meeting was a highlight during the second working day of the sixth GDF Assembly (GEF 6) in the central city of Da Nang on June 24.
The Government of Vietnam has been implementing drastic measures to increase forest coverage in the Central Highlands region, while improving output of coffee and high value crops in easing deforestation.
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.
Mariam Sherman, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, said the World Bank remains committed to working with the Vietnamese government to develop the next phase of climate resilience and transformation for the Mekong Delta.
Under the directive, the PM instructed relevant agencies to regularly inspect, supervise and proactively implement disaster prevention, response and rescue measures in line with their assigned roles and mandates, ensuring readiness, avoiding passivity or delays, and maintaining operational continuity amid ongoing political and administrative restructuring at levels.
According to Dr. Vu Anh Tuan, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Space Centre and head of the project, this is the first study in Vietnam to simultaneously employ Sentinel-2 satellite data, advanced machine learning algorithms, and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud computing platform to model and monitor key seawater quality parameters.
The Deposit Return System is seen as a potential instrument for effectively advancing Vietnam’s vision of a circular economy, as outlined in Article 142 of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection.
The figures were highlighted in a Pre-Feasibility Study on a DRS tailored for single-use beverage packaging in Vietnam, conducted by Eunomia Research & Consulting.
Young people should not view AI as salvation but rather as a tool under human control. Young creators should focus on learning and accumulating practical knowledge, using AI as a tool to carry out artistic projects in the most effective and cost-efficient manner.
Saigon Hi-Tech Park’s ambitious 50% renewable energy goal far exceeds the city’s 15% target, positioning the park as a trailblazing “living lab” for sustainable energy solutions.
Vietnam's economic losses from natural disasters are estimated to account for 1 to 1.5% of GDP annually - a steep price that will continue to rise unless the country takes strong action.
Wutip, the first storm in the East Sea so far this year, has wreaked havoc across central Vietnam, claiming lives, displacing residents, and causing widespread damage to houses, crops, and infrastructure, the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control reported as of 6:30 pm on June 13.
The tremor occurred at 7:39:46 am (Hanoi time), with the epicentre located at latitude 14.924°N and longitude 108.236°E, at a depth of approximately 8.1 kilometres. The natural disaster risk level was classified as 0 – the lowest on the scale.
Addressing a session on “Accelerating Financing for Resilience: Tailored Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction,” Deputy Minister Hiep emphasised Vietnam's proposal in building sustainable financing in response to natural disasters, which aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction's goals.
Vietnam has demonstrated its strong commitments by participating in global sustainable development forums, signing multiple free trade agreements, and attracting support from international partners for the implementation of the SDGs.
The fight against plastic pollution could not succeed through isolated efforts, but it must be a collective endeavour involving the entire political system, businesses, citizens, and the international community, said Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy.
Lang Son Global Geopark, with its outstanding geological values, cultural heritage, and unique natural landscapes, represents a valuable addition to UNESCO’s global geoparks system.
In 2019, Quang Ninh became one of the first localities in Vietnam to launch a province-wide campaign against plastic waste, mobilising the participation of the political system, the business sector, and the general public. Other localities—such as Hai Phong, Da Nang, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City—have also effectively implemented waste-sorting initiatives at source, along with models for plastic-free markets and urban areas.
This year’s World Oceans Day on June 8 is themed 'Wonderful Oceans: Sustaining What Sustains Us', while World Environment Day is on June 5 with the theme: 'Beat Plastic Pollution'.
According to Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment Le Huu Toan, a fire prevention and control plan has been in place since the dry season began, including round-the-clock patrols and rapid-response teams to snuff out fires before they could spread.
Renowned artists including Ha Anh Tuan, Den Vau, and Phan Manh Quynh, along with many directors and attendees, took part in planting hundreds of rare tree species such as mun (Diospyros mun) and cho chi (Parashorea chinensis) in the Thung Bong area of the Cuc Phuong National Park, contributing to forest ecosystem restoration.
People join hands to collect garbage in a programme to protect the ocean (Photo: VNA) 
