Event set to raises awareness of ocean economy, marine biodiversity

Cửa Việt Port in central Quảng Trị Province. The province has invested in building seaports and infrastructure to exploit sea-based economic potential effectively. — VNA/VNS Photo 

HÀ NỘI — A host of activities are scheduled during the Vietnam Sea and Island Week, starting from June 1, to raise awareness and a sense of responsibility among sectors, enterprises and people for the effective management, exploitation and use of natural resources and protection of the marine environment.

There will be a forum on the sustainable development of Việt Nam’s sea-based economy by 2030, alongside a series of seminars and workshops.

Vietnam Sea and Island Week 2022 focuses on the theme “sustainable development of sea-based economy in association with preservation of biodiversity and marine ecosystems” this year, aiming to address challenges and limitations in developing the marine economy in Việt Nam.

The week-long event provides an opportunity to promote the Party and State’s policies and international laws on marine issues, Việt Nam’s legitimate rights and benefits at sea, and the significance of sea, islands, ocean and marine resources, and to enhance the sustainable development of the sea-based economy.

It is also expected to help translate the strategy for the sustainable development the country’s sea-based economy by 2030 into reality.

According to the Blue Economy Scenarios for Vietnam report, Việt Nam’s sea is humid with diverse and productive ecosystems. The country’s 20 ecosystems, including marine ecosystems around coastal islands, and offshore islands, especially water areas and deep seabed areas.

Mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass and lagoons are considered typical ecosystems because they are the most biodiverse, contain the highest conservation value and ecological-economic significance.

Coastal landscapes and islands, together with natural ecosystems with high biodiversity are also the premise for the development of economic sectors such as tourism, fisheries and renewable energy.

In addition, marine ecosystems also contain essential functions such as carbon sequestration (seagrass and mangroves), climate regulation and disaster prevention.

Tạ Đình Thi, Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committe on Technology and Environment, said current sea-based economic development was not sustainable.

Sea-based economic development has not yet harmoniously linked with social development and environmental protection.

Pollution and environmental incidents at sea and on coastal areas still happen severely in some areas.

Plastic pollution has become an urgent problem. According to Thi, the marine ecosystems and biodiversity have been degraded while some marine resources were exploited unsustainably.

He added that limited economic and science, and technology capacity led to challenges in exploring and exploiting marine resources.

However, Việt Nam also has many opportunities to develop a green sea-based economy, according to Lưu Anh Đức, Deputy Head of the Department of Science and International Cooperation under the Việt Nam’s General Administration of Seas and Islands.  

The trend to develop the green sea-base economy globally helps to promote the development of countries, including Việt Nam.

Pioneering countries have put forth many programmes to develop a green economy and a green sea-based economy, focusing on green production; green industry – using green technologies; using renewable energies and reducing environmental pollution; and green consumption – building a green lifestyle and protecting the natural environment.

The field of science and technology in the green sea-based economy is developing strongly, creating a foundation to develop the green sea-based economy and protect the environment effectively, according to Đức. — VNS