Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung asked the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to make breakthrough in management and use of land resources in 2018 at the ministry’s conference in Hanoi on January 8.
In his speech, he lauded the sector for its assistance for the government in amending several policies and laws on natural resources and environment, especially on land and environment protection. Planning and reserve assessment of natural resources and hydro-meteorological forecast have also improved.
The ministry proposed the government issue Resolution No.120/NQ-CP detailing strategic and long-term solutions for the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta amid climate change, he said.
He asked the sector to strengthen protection and development of coastal protective, riverhead and special-purpose forests while preserving biodiversity and reviving fishery stock, as well as encouraging the use of renewable energies and eco-friendly materials.
The Deputy PM emphasized that the sector should research and devise mechanisms for large-scale farming and high-tech agriculture.
He also mentioned the urgent issue of water resource security, with the country facing shortage of water for daily use and production due to pollution and climate change. Therefore, the sector needs to raise public awareness of the exploitation and use of water resources, he said, adding that the ministry should propose to the government negotiating a trans-national water sharing mechanism.
Other tasks for the sector include reviewing, classifying and monitoring pollution sources, especially wastes discharged into rivers and seas; restoring polluted areas; completing set of standards on environment; and effectively using State funding for environment protection.
The sector was urged to pool domestic and international resources to effectively implement the National Strategy on Climate Change, the Target Programme on Climate Change Response and Green Growth 2016-2020, build a roadmap to carry out the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the government’s Resolution No.120, devise ways to respond to climate change in the south central region, the Central Highlands and other regions vulnerable to climate change.
At the event, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha agreed that the key task of the sector this year is to continue refining and creating breakthrough mechanisms, treating pollution in craft villages, rural areas, industrial and urban areas, as well as ensuring water security.
The sector will focus on completing surveying and planning on water resources, dealing with inter-regional, inter-sectoral and inter-local issues regarding the management, exploitation, use and protection of water resources in river basins, and finalizing the planning and plan of use of sea, among others.-VNA