World Oceans Day - 8 June: Collective Action for the Ocean

Collective Action for the Ocean

Sea tourism in Quy Nhon

Mr. Luu Anh Duc, Deputy Director of Science and International Cooperation Department, Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands (MONRE) stated, the trend of blue sea economic development in the world helps promote the common development of countries, including Vietnam. The world considers the 21st century as the oceans century with a new approach, which highlights the factors of sustainable economic development and environmental protection in order to promote socio-economic development, simultaneously, and adapt better to climate change on a global scale. The pioneering countries in the world have launched green economic development programmes in general and blue sea economy in particular, in which highly mentioned contents: green production, green industry – using green production techniques, using renewable energy, reducing environmental pollution; green consumption – building a green lifestyle, protecting and living in harmony with the natural environment.

Associated Professor, PhD. Vu Thanh Ca, Faculty of Environment, Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment commented, seas and oceans are one of the treasury resources to serve humans, nonetheless, being under countless pressures from humans’ activities. The phenomenon of resource degradation, environmental pollution, the impact of climate change, sea level rise, and ocean acidification are having a massive impact on the ability of the oceans to provide human ecosystem services to ensure sustainable socio-economic development, improve living standards and people’s quality of life. Integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) and integrated coastal management (ICM) are management methods which apply worldwide recently.

Therefore, marine science and technology in the period of 2021-2025 in the world will focus on rational deploying, consuming and sustainable seas and oceans, serving the development of socio-economy; international cooperation on a global and regional scale in order to solve transboundary environmental pollution problems. Vietnam should pay attention to international cooperation on marine science and technology, taking full advantage of the resources of other countries and the rapid development of science in general in the sustainable development of the marine economy.

Putting highest determination into actions

Vietnam is one of 12 centres of biodiversity, one of 16 countries possessing the highest biodiversity globally with rare and precious genetic resources. However, Vietnam has been facing biodiversity degradation along with other major challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, environmental and water pollution, land degradation, ocean plastic waste and the extreme effects of climate change. Reality hits in forcing each and every individual to be highly aware of the importance of environmental protection, ensuring the harmony relation between human and nature.

MONRE’s Minister Tran Hong Ha said, with high determination in actions, Vietnam is accelerating economic restructuring associated with digital economy, green economy, and circulation economy toward usage efficiency and well preserving natural resources, environmental and climate sustainability, protecting the habitat and citizens’ health.

The Government issued the Decision and approved the international cooperation project on sustainable development of Vietnam’s marine economy until 2030. Thereby, the project pointed out the following point of view: international cooperation on sustainable development of the marine economy must ensure the consistent implementation of the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, diversification and multilateralisation; ensure the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of the Vietnamese nation and people.

The project also stated regarding the perspective in international cooperation on sustainable development of marine economy: proactively and actively promote international cooperation to mobilise and effectively use resources, knowledge and experience and take full advantage of the support of other countries, international organisations and partners to serve the sustainable development of the marine economy. At the same time, in international cooperation on marine, the perspective is to protect the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and national jurisdiction in the East Sea on the basis of Vietnam’s Law of the Sea and international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The project also aims to make active and responsible contributions to the international community on sea and ocean issues; enhance the role and position of Vietnam in the region and in the international arena.

TITC