With the spirit of proactive, pioneering participation in building the Global Agreement on Ocean Plastic Pollution, very early on, the Government of Viet Nam issued Decision No. 1407/QD-TTg of the Government approving the Project on Viet Nam actively prepares and participates in the development of a Global Agreement on Ocean Plastic Pollution. Currently, Viet Nam is preparing the necessary steps to actively participate in this Agreement
* Striving for a world without plastic pollution
Viet Nam has been taking a series of measures to reduce ocean plastic pollution, from perfecting the system of legal documents to practical actions, from promoting propaganda to practical actions.
We have had many practical activities in the fight against waste, especially ocean plastic waste. Specifically, in 2017, Viet Nam officially joined the list of 127 countries that passed the United Nations Environment Council Resolution of the United Nations Environment Program on plastic waste and ocean microplastics. At the G7 Summit in Canada in June 2018, the Prime Minister welcomed the "Plastic – Free Ocean" Initiative and called for a global cooperation mechanism with the joint action of countries so that the oceans are always green, full of fish and shrimp and no longer plastic waste as a good legacy to leave for generations to come.
Viet Nam has affirmed its responsibility for the ocean plastic waste problem as one of the pioneer countries in reducing ocean plastic waste and one of the countries participating in the development of a global agreement framework on tackling ocean plastic pollution…
In addition, Viet Nam actively participated in the formation of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) and showed its support by sending a representative to participate in the Special Working Group on Ocean Plastic Waste of the United Nations Environment Assembly.
In particular, at the Ministerial Conference on Plastic Pollution and Ocean Waste, specific proposals were made to address this issue at UNEA-5.2. One of the remarkable outcomes of the Conference was that 76 countries including Viet Nam adopted the Ministerial Declaration to build the political momentum and will to promote a coherent global strategy to address ocean plastic pollution and waste. With the adoption of this Declaration, Viet Nam has taken another step in continuing to affirm its political commitments to the international community, contributing to sending a strong signal to UNEA-5.2 of its broad support for the establishment of an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to begin the negotiation process for a Global Agreement on Ocean Plastic Pollution.
* Motivate action
From August 2021, the Prime Minister of Viet Nam approved the project that Viet Nam actively prepares and participates in the development of a Global Agreement on Ocean Plastic Pollution. The approved project helps Viet Nam to fully prepare the necessary conditions and resources and establish a coordination mechanism for relevant ministries, branches and localities in the process of negotiating and joining the agreement; thereby ensuring the nation's highest rights and interests in the prevention and control of ocean plastic pollution.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is the unit in charge and coordination with agencies and organizations to implement the project. In recent years, the Viet Nam Administration of Seas and Islands, the unit assigned by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to advise on the implementation of Decision 1407/QD-TTg above, has actively coordinated with domestic and foreign partners to implement the task such as: Cooperating with the expert group of the World Bank and some stakeholders to conduct 2 research reports funded by the ProBlue fund on "Analysis of plastic waste pollution in Viet Nam" and "Towards a National Roadmap on Single-use Plastics in Viet Nam - Strategic Options to Reduce Single-use Plastic Priorities”.
Ms. Pham Thu Hang - Deputy Administrator in charge of the Viet Nam Administration of Seas and Islands, said that the Viet Nam Administration of Seas and Islands is promoting the construction of a Digital Platform on ocean plastic waste and preparing ready to connect to regional and global databases through the Global Partnership for Marine Liter (GPML) to help integrate data and connect stakeholders to guide action to tackle the global problem of ocean litter and plastic pollution.
Recently, the Administration sent a representative to join the delegation to attend the first session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an internationally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment in Uruguay with more than 2,300 delegates from 160 countries and related organizations participated. At this session, after the joint statements on the future agreement, the delegates discussed: the scope, objectives and structure of the document; potential factors; the basic terms for the development of the Agreement along with the sequence and recommendations for further implementation.
Based on the 6 main contents of Decision 1407/QD-TTg, the Viet Nam Administration of Seas and Islands drafts an Implementation Plan that goes into depth in developing programs such as training on international law; research, analysis, assessment of advantages and challenges when participating in negotiations; analysis and development of negotiation scenarios; review, synthesize and evaluate international agreements related to plastic waste that Viet Nam has joined.
In the coming time, MONRE will give priority to developing a plan to mobilize support from international organizations and domestic organizations and individuals; Develop a financial plan to ensure adequate financial resources for information and data collection activities. At the same time, it is proposed to establish a Negotiating Group for a Global Agreement on Ocean Plastic Pollution; developing and approving the Working Regulations of the Global Agreement Negotiating Group on Ocean Plastic Pollution; Building and perfecting the domestic plastic waste data information system; connect and share ocean plastic waste data information with regional countries and around the world. Integrate propaganda and dissemination of the necessity, advantages, and difficulties of the Global Agreement on Ocean Plastic Pollution in propaganda and dissemination programs in construction tasks and projects. Develop plans to host international forums, conferences and workshops on ocean plastic pollution, which affirm Viet Nam's responsibility and efforts in tackling global plastic pollution...