Vietnam, Netherlands hold seminar on sustainable development
Vietnam and the Netherlands, together with the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), co-organised a seminar in Geneva, Switzerland on October 8 to discuss Vietnam’s trade integration, development, and environmental management.
Green and sustainable development is one of the important tasks set in Vietnam's socio-economic development strategy for 2021-2030. (Photo: VNA)
Geneva (VNA) – Vietnam and the Netherlands, together with the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), co-organised a seminar in Geneva, Switzerland on October 8 to discuss Vietnam’s trade integration, development, and environmental management.
The event was held on the occasion of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)’s Trade and Environment Week.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), WTO, and other international organisations in Geneva, said that the two countries have established strategic agreements to ensure food security, as climate change response and the development of sustainable food systems form the backbone of their partnership.
Dung stated that Vietnam is committed to restructuring its agricultural sector and embracing green transition to adapt to new trends in the areas of free trade, climate change response, and smart agriculture, while pushing for energy transition and the building of a low-carbon economy.
Dutch Ambassador to the WTO Audrey Goosen commended collaborative programmes between the two countries and affirmed the Netherlands' readiness to support Vietnam across various fields, including sustainable agriculture.
She expressed her delight at positive outcomes reported in Vietnam’s food production and noted the growing awareness among Vietnamese people of sustainable production and development.
The Dutch diplomat said the two nations can continue to work together to help Vietnamese products meet higher standards and gain access to demanding markets./.
Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc attended the first Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC) in Germany from October 7-8, and held bilateral working sessions there.
Vietnam is a key partner of the UN in general and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in particular with great contributions to human development and sustainable growth in recent years, UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner told the Vietnam News Agency after Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s recent US trip for the UN Summit of the Future and the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.
The Techconnect and Innovation Vietnam 2024 kicked off in Hanoi on September 30, highlighting innovation promotion as an impetus for fast and sustainable socio-economic development.
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.
