Domestic and foreign environmentalists gathered at the 16th conferenceof the International Resource Panel (IRP) under the UN EnvironmentProgramme (UNEP) in Hanoi on May 27 to discuss solutions to effectiveand sustainable utilisation and management of natural resources.

Deputy Minister Bui Cach Tuyen said growth in the Southeast Asianregion is mainly based on exploiting natural resources, which increasessocio-economic and environmental challenges.

Vietnam, in particular, has to face with rising environmental pollution and biodiversity declination, he said.

Ashok Khosla, Co-Chair of the IRP, said humankind is facing seriousproblems as consequences of overexploitation and ineffective use ofnatural resources such as land, water, food and energy.

He hailed the Vietnam Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmentfor its commitments to seeking measures to deal with environmentchallenges in the country.

The Ministry of NaturalResources and Environment is an active member of the IRP which isresponsible for seeking solutions to poverty elimination, jobgeneration, and economic development in line with effective andsustainable utilisation and management of natural resources.

The conference, to run until May 29, will discuss global environmentalissues such as green growth, ecological system, land, and food. Severalinitiatives and solutions pertaining to marine resources – an issue ofgreat concern in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, have been putforward at the event-VNA