Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy PrimeMinister Trinh Dinh Dung asked the Ministry of Natural Resources andEnvironment to make breakthrough in management and use of land resources in2018 at the ministry’s conference in Hanoi on January 8.

In his speech, he lauded the sector for itsassistance for the government in amending several policies and laws on naturalresources and environment, especially on land and environment protection. Planningand reserve assessment of natural resources and hydro-meteorological forecasthave also improved.

The ministry proposed the government issueResolution No.120/NQ-CP detailing strategic and long-term solutions for thesustainable development of the Mekong Delta amid climate change, he said.

He asked the sector to strengthenprotection and development of coastal protective, riverhead and special-purposeforests while preserving biodiversity and reviving fishery stock, as well asencouraging the use of renewable energies and eco-friendly materials.

The Deputy PM emphasized that the sectorshould research and devise mechanisms for large-scale farming and high-techagriculture.

He also mentioned the urgent issue of waterresource security, with the country facing shortage of water for daily use andproduction due to pollution and climate change. Therefore, the sector needs toraise public awareness of the exploitation and use of water resources, he said,adding that the ministry should propose to the government negotiating atrans-national water sharing mechanism.

Other tasks for the sector include reviewing,classifying and monitoring pollution sources, especially wastes discharged intorivers and seas; restoring polluted areas; completing set of standards onenvironment; and effectively using State funding for environment protection.

The sector was urged to pool domestic andinternational resources to effectively implement the National Strategy onClimate Change, the Target Programme on Climate Change Response and GreenGrowth 2016-2020, build a roadmap to carry out the Paris Agreement on ClimateChange and the government’s Resolution No.120, devise ways to respond toclimate change in the south central region, the Central Highlands and otherregions vulnerable to climate change.

At the event, Minister of Natural Resourcesand Environment Tran Hong Ha agreed that the key task of the sector this yearis to continue refining and creating breakthrough mechanisms, treatingpollution in craft villages, rural areas, industrial and urban areas, as wellas ensuring water security.

The sector will focus on completingsurveying and planning on water resources, dealing with inter-regional,inter-sectoral and inter-local issues regarding the management, exploitation,use and protection of water resources in river basins, and finalizing theplanning and plan of use of sea, among others.-VNA