Hanoi (VNA) - According to the representative of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, ensuri🌳ng the health of the ecosystem is essential to helping Vietnam achieve the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh stressed that in face of the major impact of climate change and environmental pollution, strengthening preventive measures to maintain a balanced ecosystem is essential to national development and the realisation of Vietnam’s commitment of achieving the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. The 4th conference on environmental pollution featured measures for recovery and environment management (ICEPORM 2024) held on March 4 by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Deputy Minister Thanh said 37 years after the launch of the national reforms, Vietnam has become a bright spot in the region and the world over with many noteworthy achievements. However, socioeconomic development has also caused a major pressure on the ecological environment, leading to a nosedive in the environmental quality in certain places, droughts, and the serious saltwater intrusion. “Those problems have been hindering the realisation of Vietnam’s goal of sustainable development,” the official stressed. He also highlighted that Vietnam is facing serious consequences of climate change, environmental pollution, and deterioration of the natural ecological system. The United Nations has also warned that the ecological systems on the Earth are deteriorating or changing, and the ecological diversity is decreasing at an unprecedented pace. In his opinion, the challenges are worsening not only to Vietnam but also to other counties, especially in terms of climate change, health, food security, and water sources. “If we are late in taking action, we will miss the valuable chance to maintain a sustainable planet for all in the future. This forces us to become more aware of the importance of the protection of the environment, and ensuring the harmonious relations between humans and nature,” Thanh said. The protection of the environment and economic development in tandem with sustainable development is a consistent guiding viewpoint of the Vietnamese Party and State. “This also is a focal point in discussions, strategies, zoning, and national development plans, with the highest goal of protecting the people’s health, ensuring the quality of the living environment, and protecting the ecological diversity and system,” Thanh affirmed. He expressed his hope that Vietnamese and international experts will jointly discuss and share international experience to find solutions in dealing with pollution, protecting the environment for sustainable national development and for the realisation of Vietnam’s commitment on net-zero emissions by 2050. A representative of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Vietnam said over the recent past, the office has engaged in strategic cooperation with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in improving the environmental security and easing environmental pollution. Since 2021, it has helped the ministry and localities with more than 30 million USD. The official stressed that USAID will continue its close cooperation with the Vietnamese government and relevant sides in localities for the time to come./.