Vietnam Calls for Closer Int’l Cooperation in Environment Protection

Vietnam should enhance international cooperation in making policies and strategies related to natural resource management and environmental protection amid rising degradation, said Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha. Mr. Ha made the appeal at the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE)’s conference in Hanoi July 30 to review its work in first six months and initiate its plan for the rest of the year.  The institute was asked to bolster relations with foreign organizations, donors and the global network of institutes and research centers to exchange experience and cooperation opportunities serving the making of such policies. He emphasized the need to enhance the relationship between Vietnam with the U.S.-based Global Environment Facility (GEF) to facilitate the mutual exchange of information in the related areas. ISPONRE will continue increasing its cooperation with environment-related institutes such as the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the UN Center for Regional Development (UNCRD), and the Asia Development Bank (ADB) via research projects, forums and symposiums, said Director of the Institute Nguyen Van Tai. So far this year, ISPONRE has worked with UNDP and ADB to lobby for four projects on environment and biodiversity in the country and sent its specialists abroad for further training, he added. Environmental pollutions in craft villages, industrial parks and residential areas have become a pressing issue due to untreated waste and wastewater amid lax control of authorized agencies. Pollution remains an obstacle for socioeconomic development in Vietnam as the country reports an estimated loss of 5.5% of its gross domestic product (GDP) each year to rising environmental pollution. (Quan Doi Nhan Dan – People’s Army July 31)