Vietnam, Japan cooperate in ocean waste management
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh held a working session with Japanese Minister of Environment Nishimura Akihiro in Hanoi on August 25 regarding cooperation in environment protection and climate change response.
Hanoi (VNA) - Ministerof Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh held a working sessionwith Japanese Minister of Environment Nishimura Akihiro in Hanoi on August 25regarding cooperation in environment protection and climate changeresponse.
Khanhtold his Japanese counterpart that Vietnamis always at the forefront of climate change response, evidenced by the PrimeMinister’s commitments to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Vietnam has been actively partneringwith other developed nations to implement the Political Declaration on establishingthe Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), he said.
He called for cooperation in monitoring thequantity of waste discharged into the sea, and adopting measures to sort, collect,and process plastic waste while helping fishermen switch to the use ofeco-friendly tools.
As Vietnam is one of thecountries hardest hit by climate change, notably landslides in the northernmountainous region, geological fluctuations in the Central Highlands, and riverand coastal erosions in the Mekong Delta, Khanh suggested Japan continue helpingVietnam build a carbon credit market and improve disaster forecasting and warning.
Akihiro, for his part, affirmed that Japan always accompanies Vietnam inenvironment protection and climate change response for sustainable development.
He proposed collaboratingwith Vietnam to survey and monitor ocean plastic waste, toward creating ahandbook to improve the monitoring and surveying capacity. He also suggestedinviting Vietnamese experts to Japan for training on this technology.
On theoccasion, the two ministers signed a Letter of Intent on cooperation in marine waste management. Under which, both sideswill launch pilot projects and studies on marine waste in Vietnam, hold trainingsessions and workshops to enhance the capacity of Vietnamese members in managingmarine waste, including monitoring and treatment. The two countries will shareknowledge and experience to develop handbooks and guides in the field.
They also agreed to boost mutual liaison atmultilateral forums on plastic waste issues; share data on marine wastemonitoring, including publicly🎐 disclosed plastic waste collection data; as wellas work togethꦦer in other areas of mutual interest./.
Vietnam called for efforts and engagement of all countries in dealing with plastic pollution and ocean waste during the opening of the 25th Intergovernmental Meeting of the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (IGM 25) on September 8.
Joint efforts should be made to move from brown to green economy as Vietnam’s biodiversity is undergoing serious degradation, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha has said.
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.
Its Forest Protection Sub-department has applied various specialised software and information technologies in forest management and protection and fire prevention.
In 2005, Nghe An had 570 captive bears, the largest number in Vietnam. Thanks to efforts by local authorities, forest rangers, and rescue forces, the number has fallen to just 15.
Illustrative image (Photo: tainguyenmoitruong.vn) 
