Environmental protection is a global issue.

As a major event of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and of the nation, held every five years, this National Environmental Conference was attended by over 1,000 delegates including leaders and representatives from ministries, departments, localities, political and social organizations, international organizations, experts, and scientists.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and delegates visit an exhibition on the environment.

The report summarizing environmental protection work for the period 2011-2015 and outlining directions for the period 2016-2015, presented at the Conference, affirmed the achievements in environmental protection work across various fields over the past period, especially the results achieved in supplementing and perfecting the system of policies and laws; improving the organizational structure and mobilizing resources for environmental protection; the results of scientific research, technological development, international cooperation, and mobilizing the participation of organizations and communities in environmental protection; inspection and handling of environmental violations, combating environmental crimes; propaganda and education to raise awareness and sense of responsibility for environmental protection among people and communities; forest protection and development, nature conservation and biodiversity; and responding to global environmental issues.

Based on an analysis and assessment of the issues and challenges facing environmental protection in the coming period, the Report clearly identifies the direction of environmental protection work for the 2016-2020 period with comprehensive and holistic solutions aimed at further improving the institutional framework, strengthening the mobilization of resources for environmental protection to meet the requirements of the new development phase, and enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of state management tools and measures for environmental protection.

Speaking at the Conference, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung emphasized that environmental protection is both a goal and a fundamental aspect of sustainable development. Today, climate change, environmental pollution, energy security, water security, etc., have become global issues that no single nation can solve on its own. Recognizing the role and significance of environmental protection, the Party and State have issued many major policies and guidelines on this important issue. The 7th Plenum of the 11th Central Committee of the Party issued a Resolution on proactively responding to climate change, strengthening resource management, and protecting the environment.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung assessed that, looking back over the past five years, environmental protection efforts have achieved positive results. The system of policies, mechanisms, and laws has been reviewed, supplemented, and continuously improved; the state management apparatus from the central to local levels has continued to be strengthened, and management capacity has significantly improved; budget investment in environmental protection has received more attention and has gradually increased year by year (total expenditure on environmental protection in 2015 was 11,400 billion VND, nearly double that of 2010); state management tools and measures for natural resources and the environment have been applied and are beginning to show effectiveness; environmental protection inspection and monitoring work continues to be strengthened, resolutely dealing with facilities causing serious environmental pollution and meeting the annual targets set by the National Assembly; several projects for waste treatment, pollution remediation, and environmental improvement have been invested in; the rate of solid waste collection has increased over the years. Emphasis is placed on nature conservation and biodiversity; international cooperation is strengthened, and advanced technologies, techniques, and important resources are added to protect the environment.

"These achievements are thanks to the efforts and determination of the entire sector to overcome difficulties and challenges; the leadership and attention of Party committees at all levels, from the central to local levels; investment from all levels of government and the business community; the effective participation of socio-political organizations; the cooperation and assistance of scientists, the international community, and the sense of responsibility of the entire population in environmental protection," Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung assessed.

Besides the achievements, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also requested a frank assessment of the limitations and weaknesses in environmental protection work. Pollution and environmental degradation continue to increase in some areas, affecting socio-economic development; natural resources are still being overexploited and unsustainably exploited; many mechanisms, policies, and laws on environmental protection are overlapping, redundant, and not highly feasible, and law enforcement is not strict; the number of environmental management officials is insufficient, and their expertise and skills are limited; the role of the community and mass organizations in monitoring the implementation of environmental protection laws has not been effectively utilized; and violations of environmental protection laws are becoming increasingly sophisticated and serious.

The Prime Minister cited the Conference's concluding report, which warned that international environmental experts warned that while Vietnam's GDP could double in the next 10 years, if not given adequate attention, environmental pollution could triple compared to the present; and possibly even quadruple by 2025. On average, for every 1% increase in GDP, the damage caused by environmental pollution would amount to a 3% loss of GDP. "This is a warning we must pay close attention to, as in reality, there is still a tendency to prioritize short-term economic benefits over the long-term task of protecting the environment sustainably," Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung emphasized.

To effectively protect the environment in the coming period and to make environmental protection an important component in reforming the growth model towards sustainable development, protecting the health and physical well-being of the nation, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung proposed that the conferences should focus on effectively implementing seven important tasks.

Firstly, it is necessary to thoroughly understand and effectively implement the upcoming Resolution of the 12th National Party Congress, the Central Committee Resolutions, and legal regulations on environmental protection. The system of guiding documents for the implementation of the 2014 Environmental Protection Law must be perfected; the Biodiversity Law and related laws must be amended to better carry out the work of nature conservation and biodiversity.

Secondly, strengthen communication efforts to raise awareness of responsibility in complying with the law and participating in environmental protection among the community, citizens, and businesses. Build and develop a civilized society where people have environmentally friendly lifestyles and behaviors.

Thirdly, continue to improve the organizational structure and strengthen the management capacity of officials at all levels, especially at the local, district, and commune levels, to meet the increasingly high demands of state management in environmental protection.

Fourth, strengthen the diversification of investment sources for environmental protection. Prioritize development investment capital, loans, and ODA to address pressing and long-standing environmental issues that affect people's lives and health. Effectively mobilize resources in society; encourage social participation and investment through public-private partnerships, especially in the collection and treatment of solid waste and centralized domestic wastewater. Establish and effectively implement environmental protection funds in general, and funds within corporations and enterprises in particular, to proactively secure capital for addressing environmental issues.

Fifth, promote research and application of scientific and technological advancements in responding to climate change, managing resources, and protecting the environment. Promote innovation in energy-efficient production technologies, effective resource utilization, and the development of "low-carbon" industries. Focus on enhancing the environmental component in the value structure of goods and services, creating environmentally friendly "green" products and services; prohibit investment projects that cause pollution or negative impacts on the environment; and strictly control and prevent Vietnam from becoming a dumping ground for outdated industrial waste from developed countries.

Sixth, promote and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of strategic environmental assessment tools and environmental databases to forecast and prevent sources of pollution and adverse impacts on the environment. Strengthen inspection work and strictly handle violations of laws and regulations on environmental protection and serious environmental pollution. Strictly control the sources of generation, storage, transportation, and treatment of hazardous waste to prevent re-pollution of the environment.

Seventh, proactively cooperate and integrate internationally to leverage resources for environmental protection. Prioritize the fulfillment of international commitments and strive to achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) after 2015, adapting them to Vietnam's specific conditions. Vietnam is a responsible member and partner in the common effort to address global environmental issues.

Emphasizing that environmental protection is a global issue requiring the joint efforts of every nation, organization, and individual, on behalf of the Vietnamese Government, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung expressed gratitude and hoped to continue receiving even more effective cooperation and support from United Nations agencies, the World Bank, countries, organizations, and international friends in the future on this particularly important issue; while affirming Vietnam's readiness to cooperate and make positive contributions with the international community to preserve the world's environment.

According to NNVN