Ambassador and head of the EU Delegation to Việt Nam Julien Guerrier addresses the Việt Nam - EU Day in Hạ Long city, Quảng Ninh Province, on May 12. Photo baotintuc.vn

QUẢNG NINH — An event themed “Việt Nam - EU joining hands for a clean environment” took place in Hạ Long city, the northern province of Quảng Ninh, on May 12.

The event was held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the Quảng Ninh provincial People’s Committee, the EU Delegation to Việt Nam, and Sun Group.

In her remarks, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Thị Thu Hằng emphasised that the protection of the marine environment is facing numerous challenges such as pollution risks posed by untreated waste and wastewater, as well as people’s limited awareness of the issue.

She said to address these challenges, aside from efforts by the entire political system, the MoFA has actively promoted cooperation with other countries and international organisations in terms of environmental protection and climate change response.

The EU and its member nations have significantly contributed to environmental protection and climate change response worldwide, she went on, noting that they have actively assisted Việt Nam in this regard through cooperation projects on climate change response, biodiversity conservation, forest protection, and waste treatment, among others.

The Việt Nam - EU Day in Hạ Long, initiated by the MoFA, aimed to help raise businesses and people’s awareness of responsible behaviour towards the environment and the natural ecosystem, thereby helping prevent the pollution and degradation of the marine environment.

It was also meant to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation between Quảng Ninh and the EU Delegation, as well as the embassies of the EU countries, contributing to the flourishing Việt Nam - EU comprehensive partnership and cooperation, according to Hằng.

The official added that Việt Nam wishes to continue receiving the effective cooperation and assistance from the EU and its members in promoting the awareness and capacity of protecting the environment and recovering soil, forest and marine ecosystems.

For his part, Ambassador and head of the EU Delegation to Việt Nam Julien Guerrier highlighted the event’s importance to Việt Nam’s efforts towards green and sustainable development.

Speaking highly of Việt Nam’s commitments to building a green and circular economy and achieving net zero emissions by 2050, he affirmed that the EU will always stand side by side and support the country to carry out the initiatives on climate change response and environmental protection so as to help fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals.

After the opening ceremony, nearly 200 delegates engaged in the collection of waste along Bãi Cháy beach and on Hạ Long Bay. They were also joined by a large number of local residents and tourists. — VNS