Prime Minister: Do not trade the environment for short-term economic benefits

(Baonghean.vn) - On the morning of August 24, the Government held an online conference on environmental protection chaired by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Also attending the meeting were Deputy Prime Ministers, representatives of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, government agencies, ministries, sectors, corporations and general companies.

At the Nghe An bridge point, there were comrades: Nguyen Dac Vinh - Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Nguyen Xuan Son - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Dinh Viet Hong, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; representatives of the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee, provincial-level unions, departments, branches, districts, cities and 10 enterprises with large waste discharge activities.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc presided at the Hanoi end. Photo: PV

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized that recently, environmental pollution and violations of environmental protection laws have occurred in many places, seriously affecting production, people's lives as well as social security, including very serious incidents.

According to the Prime Minister, it is necessary to change development thinking. Economic development must go hand in hand with environmental protection and sustainable development. "We must absolutely not let short-term economic benefits affect the environment and people's lives."

Comrade Nguyen Dac Vinh - Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee attended the meeting.

Panoramic view of Nghe An bridgehead

Fishmeal processing factories discharge waste directly into Lach Van River, causing serious pollution and affecting the living environment of residential areas. (Illustration: Van Truong)

Comrade Nguyen Xuan Phuc suggested that the Conference should focus on a number of key issues such as assessing the actual state of environmental pollution, examining weaknesses in state management of environmental issues, and discussing immediate and long-term solutions to protect the environment and carry out environmental protection tasks in the coming time.

The head of the Government said that in recent years, the Government has given strong direction to this issue, but due to many reasons, the weaknesses have not been thoroughly resolved, especially the responsibilities at the sectoral and local levels that are directly managing the licensing related to environmental protection issues.

At the conference, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha also had an important report on the pollution situation and solutions for the Prime Minister to consider.

Many opinions from provinces, cities, and ministries continue to deepen the current situation and solutions for environmental protection. Including: environmental status from mineral exploitation, livestock, agricultural production, pesticides, treatment of domestic wastewater, industrial wastewater, investment funding for environmental protection, policy mechanisms in attracting foreign investment associated with environmental protection...

After this conference, the Prime Minister will have a directive on urgent tasks and solutions for environmental protection until 2020.

Phan Vu