Environmental protection is a global issue.
As a major event of the Natural Resources and Environment Sector and the country held every five years, this National Environmental Conference was attended by over 1,000 delegates who are leaders and representatives of ministries, sectors, localities, political and social organizations, international organizations, experts and scientists.
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| Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and delegates visit the environmental exhibition. |
The report summarizing the environmental protection work in the period of 2011-2015 and the orientation for the period of 2016-2015 presented at the Conference affirmed the results achieved in environmental protection work in various fields in recent times, especially the results achieved in supplementing and perfecting the system of policies and laws; perfecting the apparatus and mobilizing resources for environmental protection work; the results of scientific research activities, technology development, international cooperation and mobilizing the participation of organizations and communities in environmental protection work; inspection work, handling of environmental violations, fighting against environmental crimes; propaganda and education work to raise awareness and sense of responsibility for environmental protection of people and communities; work of forest protection and development, nature conservation and biodiversity; response to global environmental issues;...
Based on the analysis and assessment of issues and challenges facing environmental protection in the coming time, the Report has clearly identified the orientation of environmental protection in the period of 2016-2020 with comprehensive and comprehensive solutions to continue to improve institutions, increase resource mobilization for environmental protection to meet the requirements of the new development stage and strengthen and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of state management tools and measures on environmental protection.
Speaking at the Conference, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung emphasized that environmental protection is both the goal and the basic content of sustainable development. Nowadays, climate change, environmental pollution, energy security, water security, etc. have become global issues that no country 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 Central Conference, 11th Party Congress 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 5 years, environmental protection work has achieved positive results. The system of policies, mechanisms and laws has been reviewed, supplemented and constantly improved; the organization of the state management apparatus from the central to local levels has continued to be consolidated, management capacity has been significantly improved; investment from the budget for environmental protection has received more attention and increased gradually each year (total expenditure on environmental affairs in 2015 was 11,400 billion VND, nearly double that of 2010); tools and measures for state management of environmental resources have been applied and initially shown effectiveness; environmental protection inspection and examination work has continued to be promoted, resolutely handling establishments causing serious environmental pollution and achieving annual targets set by the National Assembly; a number of projects for waste treatment, pollution remediation and environmental improvement have been invested; The rate of solid waste collection has increased over the years; nature conservation and biodiversity conservation have been focused on; international cooperation has been promoted, increasing advanced technology, techniques, and important resources to protect the environment.
“The above results were achieved thanks to the efforts and determination to overcome difficulties and challenges of the entire industry; the leadership of Party committees from the central to local levels; the investment of authorities at all levels and the business community; the effective participation of socio-political organizations; the cooperation and assistance of scientists and the international community; and the sense of responsibility of the entire population in environmental protection work,” Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung assessed.
In addition to the achievements, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also requested a frank recognition of the limitations and weaknesses in environmental protection. Pollution and environmental degradation are still increasing in some areas, affecting socio-economic development; natural resources are still being overexploited and unsustainable; many mechanisms, policies and laws on environmental protection are overlapping, duplicative, not highly feasible, and not strictly enforced; the number of environmental management staff is still insufficient, and their expertise and professionalism are limited; the role of the community and mass organizations in monitoring the enforcement of environmental protection laws has not been fully promoted; violations of environmental protection laws are increasingly sophisticated and serious.
The Prime Minister cited the Conference's Summary Report, which stated the warnings of international environmental experts that in the next 10 years, Vietnam's GDP may double, but if not properly cared for, environmental pollution will increase 3 times compared to present; even by 2025 it may increase 4 to 5 times; on average, for every 1% increase in GDP, the damage caused by environmental pollution will cause a loss of 3% of GDP. "This is a warning that we must pay close attention to when in reality, there is still a situation of prioritizing immediate economic benefits over the task of long-term sustainable environmental protection," Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung emphasized.
To do a good job of environmental protection in the coming time and to make environmental protection an important content in renewing the growth model towards sustainable development, protecting the health and physical strength of the race, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung suggested that the Conferences should focus on implementing well 7 important tasks.
Firstly, it is necessary to thoroughly grasp and effectively implement the upcoming Resolution of the 12th Party Congress, Central Resolutions, and legal regulations on environmental protection. Complete the system of documents guiding the implementation of the 2014 Law on Environmental Protection; amend the Law on Biodiversity and related laws to better implement the work of nature conservation and biodiversity.
Second, strengthen communication work on the sense of responsibility to comply with the law, participate in environmental protection in the community, people and businesses. Build and develop a civilized society, people have an environmentally friendly lifestyle and behavior.
Third, continue to improve the organizational structure and enhance the management capacity of cadres at all levels, especially at local, district and commune levels, to meet the increasingly high requirements of state management of environmental protection.
Fourth, diversify investment capital sources for environmental protection. Prioritize development investment capital, loans, and ODA to solve urgent and long-standing environmental problems that affect people's lives and health. Effectively mobilize social resources; encourage socialization and investment in the form of public-private partnerships, especially in the collection and treatment of solid waste and concentrated domestic wastewater. Form and effectively deploy environmental protection funds in general and funds in corporations and enterprises to proactively source capital to solve environmental problems.
Fifth, promote research and application of scientific and technological advances in responding to climate change, resource management and environmental protection. Promote innovation in energy-saving production technology, efficient use of resources, and development of “low-carbon” industry. Focus on improving the environmental component in the value structure of goods and services, forming “green” products and “green” services that are friendly to the environment; do not allow investment projects in production and business that cause pollution and have negative impacts on the environment; strictly control, do not let Vietnam become an outdated industrial waste dump of developed countries.
Sixth, promote and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of strategic environmental assessment tools and environmental databases to forecast and prevent sources of pollution and negative impacts on the environment. Strengthen inspection and strictly handle violations of environmental protection laws and regulations that cause 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 mobilize resources for environmental protection. Pay attention to implementing international commitments and strive to implement the United Nations' post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in accordance with our country's conditions. Vietnam is a responsible member and partner in the common effort to solve global environmental problems.
Emphasizing that environmental protection is a global issue, requiring the joint efforts of each country, organization and each citizen, on behalf of the Vietnamese Government, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung expressed his gratitude and hoped to continue to receive more effective cooperation and support from United Nations agencies, the World Bank, countries, organizations and international friends in the coming time on this particularly important issue; at the same time, affirmed that Vietnam is ready to cooperate and actively contribute with the international community to preserve the world's environment.
According to NNVN
