Hanoi (VNA) – A hybrid nationwide ceremony has beenheld by the Ministry of Environment and Natural꧑ Resources to kick start aseries of events to mark World Wa꧙ter Day, World Meteorological Day, andEarth Hour 2022, all to be celebrated this month.

The March 23 ceremony brought together 63 cities andprovinces and 400 international organisations, non-governmental organisations,diplomatic corps in Vietnam, Vietnamese ministries and agencies. Themes of World Water Day (March 22), WorldMeteorological Day (March 23) and Earth Hour 2022 are closely connected witheach other as they all call for public attention and urge people to actimmediately, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Tran Hong Ha said inhis opening remarks. He underscored the necessity to further strengthen forecastand early warning systems in the short and long run to protect people’swell-being and properties; promote effective management and protection, andsustainable use of groundwater and water resources for the lives of today’s andtomorrow’s generations; and raise awareness of energy efficiency for thesustainable future of the planet and humanity. He asked authorities at all levels to reinvent theirmindsets in policy-making, with the development of the green economy and the circular economy taken into account, and urged people throughout the country to act together fora sustainable future. The event also honoured winners of a competition entitled “Hydro-meteorologyin me” designed for secondary and high school students. This year’s theme of World Water Day is “Groundwater,making the invisible visible,” aiming to bring attention to the invisible yet impactfulresource – groundwater – and its significance to agriculture, industry,ecosystem and climate change adaption. Themed “Early Warning and Early Action”, WorldMeteorological Day 2022 spotlights the vital importance of hydro-meteorologicaland climate information for disaster risk reduction. The Earth Hour 2022’s theme is “Shape Our Future – It’s nowor never.” It intends to raise public awareness of adapting to climate changeand preventing and reserving global biodiversity loss. In response to the Earth Hour 2022, the Ministry ofEnvironment and Natural Resources is calling all people and organisations to switchoff lights and non-essential electronic devices for an hour, from 8:30pm to 9:30pm,on March 26. A host of activities will be held to educate people on agreen and healthy lifestyle and the harmful effects of illegal hunting andconsumption of wildlife animals while schools are asked to organise environmentalawareness classes and relevant extracurricular activities./.