The natural resources and environment sector continues to contribute to economic stability and play an important role in the national industrialisation and modernisation for sustainable development.
The statement was made by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Pham Khoi Nguyen, at a meeting in Hanoi on December 28 to review the work done in 2010 and devise plans for 2011.
Nguyen said that the most land-related problems have been addressed such as land use, prices, revoking and compensation. Measures have also been taken to support resettlement and create favourable conditions for people and investors.
The eighth session of the 12th National Assembly approved the draft Minerals Law with new regulations, which will introduce changes in natural resources management, exploitation and use.
Much attention was given to violations of environmental protection and strengthening environmental protection of river valleys. The ministry successfully urged the Vedan Company to compensate local people for the environmental damages it had done.
In 2010, the ministry also received the Prime Minister’s approval of the second national announcement to be sent to the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Vietnam asserted itself as the pioneer country in coping with climate change at Cancun Summit in Mexico.
It also successfully organised the Vietnam Sea and Islands Festival and a series of activities during the Sea and Island Week.
2011 will be the first year to implement the five-year plan and a strategy for 2011-2020 period. The ministry’s action programme on natural resources and environment management will continue to be implemented.
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai praised the sector’s achievements in recent times and its strategic solutions to international issues, such as water management, and climate change. He also praised the sector’s improved solutions to obstacles in land management in big projects, such as Dung Quat and Son La Hydroelectric Power Plant.
Mr Hai urged the sector to overcome its limits in mechanisms, plans and management of the use of land, water and natural resources. He proposed that it further strengthens environmental protection, improves human resource training, accelerates application of technology and puts the revised Minerals Laws into life early.
Mr Hai emphasised that in order to develop sustainably the ministry needs larger investments in 2011 to improve its capacity to cope with climate change and natural disasters to ensure safety for citizens and environment.