The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Việt Nam Association of the Elderly signed a coordination programme in Hà Nội on Wednesday. —VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Việt Nam Association of the Elderly have committed to coordinate in building green models with the participation of elderly people to better protect the environment.

The cooperation programme between the ministry and the association during the 2022-2026 period was signed in Hà Nội on Wednesday.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Trần hồng Hà said the environment, land, mineral resources, water resources, sea and islands and climate change are important areas that require new awareness and management for better protection.

The Việt Nam Association of the Elderly, which represents 12 million elderly people, has an important role in educating the younger generation on proactively taking part in managing and using natural resources effectively and reasonably, towards green and sustainable growth, he said.

Chairman of the association Nguyễn Thanh Bình said elderly people, with 60 per cent of them (equivalent to 7 million people) are participating in production activities, would play a part in protecting the environment and natural resources.

He suggested building models in localities to encourage the ageing population to take part in environmental protection activities such as sorting and collecting household waste or building information channels to receive, handle and spread initiatives in protecting the environment.

The coordination programme is also aimed at promoting State management efficiency and completing legal regulations relating to natural resources and the environment as well as increasing information dissemination and mobilising all social forces in protecting the environment, adapting to climate change and effectively managing and using natural resources.

It is also designed to strengthen supervision and inspection to detect, prevent and propose punishments for violations of environmental protection regulations. 

Under the programme, the ministry and the association will share experience and provide knowledge and skills for the association's members; promote related emulation campaigns; and expand good models in protecting the environment.

The two sides will also organise conferences and training sessions, build initiatives that bring in practical benefits for the community and carry out annual assessments to honour individuals and groups that have made achievements in natural resources management and environment protection. — VNS