Đặng Quốc Khánh, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment delivers a speech at the event. Photo baotainguyenmoitruong.vn

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam Seas and Islands Week and the Action Month for the Environment 2024 was launched in Nha Trang City in the south-central province of Khánh Hòa on Monday.

This year's ceremony was organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in collaboration with the Party Central Committee's Commission for Publicity and Education, the Việt Nam Women's Union, the Việt Nam Elderly Association, the Việt Nam Veterans Association and the Khánh Hòa Provincial People's Committee.

The event aims to commemorate World Environment Day (June 5) with the theme 'Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience' and World Oceans Day (June 8) with the theme 'Deepening Our Understanding of the Ocean'.

In his speech at the ceremony, Đặng Quốc Khánh, a Party Central Committee member and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, highlighted the ongoing complex issues of drought and saltwater intrusion in Việt Nam.

He stated that river and reservoir flows in the northern region are typically 30-60 per cent below the multi-year average, while in the central and Central Highlands regions, they are 25-50 per cent below average.

The El Nino phenomenon, combined with low upstream water levels in the Mekong River and high tides, has exacerbated saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta. Intrusion depths have reached 40-66km inland and in some places, such as Tiền Giang and Bến Tre provinces, up to 70-76km.

Additionally, over 11.8 million hectares in Việt Nam, accounting for 35.74 per cent of the total natural land area, are affected by degradation and desertification. This situation continues to worsen, significantly impacting the country's agriculture sector.

Khánh emphasised that as land-based natural resources are increasingly exploited to their limits and land resources face degradation, many countries are turning to the ocean to secure resources for national development.

Việt Nam, with its significant potential and advantages in marine economic development, offers ample space for growth and international exchange. Therefore, the country must implement solutions to become a strong and prosperous maritime nation, he said.

At the event, Khánh called on central agencies, ministries, sectors, local authorities, organisations and businesses, along with all citizens, to take practical actions to address drought and desertification, protect the environment and sustainably exploit and use marine and island resources while adapting to climate change.

Additionally, every citizen, business and organisation in society plays a vital role in land restoration, drought and desertification prevention, resource management, environmental protection and climate change response.

“By leveraging the potential advantages of various regions and localities, we can develop the economy sustainably and contribute to Việt Nam's goal of building a sustainable future in harmony with nature,” he said. — VNS