Vietnam attends 4th Int’l Our Ocean Conference in Malta
A Vietnamese delegation led by Ambassador Vuong Thua Phong, head of the Vietnamese mission to the EU, took part in the 4th International Our Ocean 2017 Conference in Malta on October 5-6.
Brussels (VNA) – A Vietnamesedelegation led by Ambassador Vuong Thua Phong, head of the Vietnamese mission tothe EU, took part in the 4th International Our Ocean 2017 Conferencein Malta on October 5-6.
This year’s event brought together delegates from more than 100 countries andinternational organisations, including over 40 high-ranking leaders.
The conference discussed measures to prevent marine pollution, expand protectedsea areas, consolidate marine security, promote blue economy and sustainablefishing, and strengthen efforts to deal with climate change in line with theParis Agreement on climate change and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by2030.
Participants highlighted the importance of oceans and raised concerns over themarine environment pollution, degradation of marine ecology and coastal areas,and exhaustion of marine resources as well as their serious impacts on thehuman lives and sustainable development.
At the event, the EU announced an aid package worth 550 million EUR (642million USD) for 36 programmes for safer and cleaner maritime zones.
The US also pledged to provide 9.1 billion USD for waste recycling projects inIndonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam within four years.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Vietnamese delegation had meetings withleaders of the EU and other delegations, briefing them on the country’ssustainable development policies as well as its efforts to step upinternational cooperation in implementing EU recommendations on illegal fishingprevention, and enhancing the conservation and promotion of sea and oceanresources, contributing to ensuring maritime safety and freedom in the EastSea.
The first International Our Ocean Conference was held in the US in 2014 under theinitiative of then US Secretary of State John Kerry. The fifth event will takeplace in Indonesia in 2018.-VNA
The sixth East Sea conference held by the Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA) opened in Kuala Lumpur on October 4 under the theme “Fostering a shared future in the East Sea”.
A conference on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is being held in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India, taking the theme “UNCLOS: Solutions for Managing the Maritime Global Commons”.
Vietnam commits to cooperating with the United Nations and its member states to promote the rule of law to realise sustainable development goals, said Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, head of the permanent representative of Vietnam to the UN.
Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh emphasised the role of regional mechanisms in promoting trust building and cooperation in peace, stability and development in the region.
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.
The dispatch noted that since the beginning of 2025, natural disasters have claimed 29 lives and left several others missing. A total of 67 houses have collapsed, and 2,342 homes have been unroofed or damaged.
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) 
