Announcing the Strategy for sustainable exploitation and use of resources and protection of marine and island environment

Overview of the Conference to announce the Strategy for sustainable exploitation and use of resources and protection of marine and island environment until 2030, with a vision to 2050, and the workshop on National Marine Spatial Planning. Photo: Pham Bang

Speaking at the opening of the conference, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Vo Tuan Nhan emphasized that the sea is a component of the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland, a living space, a gateway for international exchange, closely associated with the cause of building and protecting the Fatherland.

Resolution No. 36 of the Party Central Committee on the Strategy for Sustainable Development of Vietnam's Marine Economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045, states that Vietnam must become a strong maritime nation, rich from the sea, with sustainable development, prosperity, security and safety.

Comrades: Vo Tuan Nhan - Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment; Nguyen Van De - Vice Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee chaired the conference. Photo: Pham Bang

Sustainable development of the marine economy is closely linked to ensuring national defense, security, maintaining independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Sustainable development of the marine economy on the basis of green growth, conservation of biodiversity, marine ecosystems; ensuring harmony between economic and natural ecosystems, between conservation and development;... promoting the potential and advantages of the sea, creating momentum for the country's economic development.

At the conference, the Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment announced the strategy for sustainable exploitation and use of resources, protection of marine and island environment until 2030, with a vision to 2050.

Comrade Vo Tuan Nhan - Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment delivered the opening speech at the conference. Photo: Pham Bang

The specific goal of the strategy by 2030 is that marine and island resources will be exploited reasonably and used effectively to rapidly and sustainably develop marine economic sectors and coastal areas, especially key marine economic sectors in order of priority.

Marine pollution is controlled, prevented and minimized. By 2030, in coastal cities, 100% of hazardous waste and domestic solid waste will be collected and treated to meet environmental standards; 100% of economic zones, industrial zones and coastal urban areas will be planned and built in a sustainable and ecological direction.

Well manage and protect marine, coastal and island ecosystems, increase the area of ​​marine reserves and protected marine and coastal areas to at least 6% of the national natural sea area; effectively respond to natural disasters, climate change and rising sea levels.

Ms. Ramla Khalidi - Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Vietnam shares experiences in exploiting and sustainably using resources and protecting the marine and island environment. Photo: Pham Bang

Speaking at the conference, Mr. Nguyen Van De - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee emphasized that Nghe An has a coastline of 82km, with great potential for marine economic development.

Along the coast of Nghe An, there are 3,500 hectares of brackish water used for aquaculture. Developing the marine economy not only creates momentum for Nghe An's economic development, but also contributes to strengthening national defense and security, protecting Vietnam's maritime sovereignty.

Comrade Nguyen Van De - Vice Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee spoke at the conference. Photo: Pham Bang

In recent times, the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council and People's Committee of Nghe An province have paid special attention and focused on directing the exploitation and development of the marine economy. In particular, the core activities are tourism, marine services, seaport development and coastal industry. Thereby, gradually turning Nghe An into one of the strong marine economic centers of the North Central region, contributing to connecting the marine economy of the region, the whole country and the world.

With the policy of strongly orienting towards the sea and getting rich from the sea, in the coming time, Nghe An province will focus resources to accelerate the construction of Nghe An to become a strong province in the maritime economy of the North Central region, with a synchronous and modern socio-economic infrastructure, high resilience to natural disasters, epidemics and effective adaptation to climate change and rising sea levels; gradually prevent and repel the increasing trend of pollution, marine environmental degradation, coastal landslides and sea erosion; form a marine culture, restore and preserve marine ecosystems.

Comrade Nguyen Hong Linh - Permanent Vice Chairman of Ha Tinh Provincial People's Committee spoke at the conference. Photo: Pham Bang

Closely combine the development of marine and island economy with ensuring national defense and security, protecting territorial sovereignty. Accelerate the construction and development of economic zones, industrial parks, logistics services, urban areas, coastal tourism areas in the direction of ecological model approach, attractive to investors, contributing to making Nghe An a locality with fast and sustainable socio-economic development.

As part of the conference program, the Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment presented some contents in the draft National Marine Spatial Planning.

National marine spatial planning is a multi-sectoral planning that aims to delimit and arrange marine space reasonably for different sectors and fields on the basis of integrating sectoral planning related to the sea. From there, it orients and establishes plans for using marine space and resolves overlaps and conflicts in exploiting and using marine resources and space.

Delegates attending the conference. Photo: Pham Bang

The goal by 2030 is to ensure effective management and use of marine space; create a foundation for promoting the development of marine and marine-related economic sectors towards green growth, environmental friendliness, conservation of marine ecosystems; and development of culture, society, natural and historical values.

Ensuring national defense, security, foreign affairs and international cooperation, protecting national sovereignty, rights and interests at sea and on islands; making Vietnam a strong maritime nation, rich from the sea, with sustainable development, prosperity, security and safety.

Delegates attending the conference. Photo: Pham Bang

Vision to 2050, complete the allocation of marine space for effective management and use, in accordance with the country's development requirements based on natural conditions, socio-economic conditions, environment, marine and island ecosystems, ensuring that marine and island resources are used effectively, ensuring balance with the requirements for sustainable development of the marine economy, millennium goals on the sea, culture, national defense and security.

In addition, the planning ensures the balance of the natural ecosystem; meets the goal of comprehensively and synchronously promoting innovation, industrialization and modernization; and completes the goal of Vietnam becoming a rich and powerful maritime nation.

Pham Bang