Vietnam Vows to Pursue Green Growth: Deputy Prime Minister

Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue has affirmed that the country will continue long-term strategies on environmental-friendly programs for sustainable development. The deputy PM made the statement at a meeting with members from natural and environmental protection associations on Sept 6. He said that the government will intensified investment in the national strategies on green growth for the 2016-2020 period and vision to 2050 and continue supporting the economic overhaul program with a focus on changing growth models and improving competitiveness. Ministries have conducted researches on green growth in different regions by choosing suitable economic models for the Central Highlands and curbing salinization in the Mekong delta, he added. The move is in line with Vietnam’s commitments to the United Nations’ sustainable development by 2030 in which the country pledged to cut by 8% of greenhouse gas emissions by the year. Vietnam, which ranks among the five hardest-hit nations by climate change, has paid more attention to green growth over the past years. Natural disasters are estimated to cost the country average $1 billion per year. The government has kept a close watch on environmental protection after Taiwan-invested Formosa Plastic Group caused the worst environmental disaster which caused massive fish death and left serious impacts on the sea off the central coast several months ago. (Baochinhphu.vn Sept 6)