On January 5 and 6, 2023, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in collaboration with the People’s Committee of Quang Binh Province under the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi organized the Workshop on Master plan for exploitation and sustainable use of coastal resources in the period of 2021 – 2030, with a vision to 2045 (referred to as coastal zone planning).
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Minh Ngan said that as a coastal country with a long coastline and many islands; Faced with the challenges of environmental pollution, the decline of marine resources and resources and the impact of climate change, over the past years, Vietnam has actively developed and implemented policies and laws. laws serving the state management of seas and islands and enhancing international cooperation.
Workshop on Master plan for exploitation and sustainable use of coastal resources in the period of 2021 – 2030, with a vision to 2045
“The master plan on sustainable exploitation and use of coastal resources for the period of 2021 – 2030, with a vision to 2045 is a multi-sectoral, difficult and complex planning, which was prepared for the first time in Vietnam in the following way. near-spatial, synthetic”. Therefore, Deputy Minister Le Minh Ngan wishes that, through the workshop, active exchanges and discussions, the responsibilities of the participants will clarify the contents of the plan; roles and responsibilities of stakeholders and solutions to attract and strongly promote the implementation of the plan in practice, as well as the management and supervision of the implementation of the plan in the future.
Vietnam is a coastal country with a coastline of more than 3260km, providing a large natural capital for marine economic development and has a lot of potential for coastal and offshore wind power, which, if properly developed, will contribute to ensuring the safety of the sea. energy security and help Vietnam achieve its carbon-neutral commitments by 2050.
In order to promote this great potential, Vietnam has issued Resolution No. 36/NQ-TW of the Central Government in 2018 on the strategy of sustainable development of Vietnam’s marine economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045, in which The important solution is to develop a national marine spatial plan and a master plan on sustainable exploitation and use of coastal resources.
According to regulations, the scope of the Coastal Zone Plan includes coastal waters and coastal land as follows: The coastal sea area has the inner boundary as the lowest sea edge on average for many years (18.6 years). and the outer boundary is 06 nautical miles from the lowest sea edge on average for many years as determined and announced by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the coastal land includes coastal communes, wards and townships of 28 provinces, cities directly under the Central Government have the sea.
The objective of the master plan is to sustainably develop the coastal zone based on improving the efficiency of management and exploitation and use of resources in an integrated management approach, proactively adapting to climate change and sea water. offer; improve livelihoods and living standards of coastal communities in association with conservation and development of natural, ecological and cultural values; maintaining social order and ensuring national defense and security.
Specific objectives are mentioned such as: economic, maximizing benefits and minimizing conflicts in the exploitation and use of coastal resources; rationally, thriftily and efficiently allocating natural resources in coastal zones to sectors, fields and coastal localities in socio-economic development; create many livelihoods and improve living standards for coastal communities. Successfully developing and breaking through coastal economic sectors in the direction of modernity, applying digital technology, advanced techniques, and being environmentally friendly, contributing to the economic growth of 28 provinces and cities. coastal city will reach over 7.5%/year, aiming to achieve net emissions of “zero” by 2050.
Regarding social culture, protect and preserve the integrity of tangible cultural heritages and intangible cultural heritages; preserve and promote the cultural values and identity of each ethnic group in the coastal areas. Making progress in social justice, ensuring the right to access to the sea and enjoy basic services and social welfare of coastal people; strengthen the active and responsible participation of people in the protection of natural resources, environment and cultural and historical values in coastal areas.
Regarding the environment, effectively manage and protect the existing ecosystems in the coastal areas; restore and increase the area of protected areas on coastal lands and coastal waters, in order to contribute to the goal of achieving at least 6% of the area of coastal and marine protected areas. Effective management of pollution sources from the mainland, plastic waste pollution in the coastal area contributes to a 75% reduction in plastic waste at sea, 100% of marine protected areas no longer have plastic waste within the coastal zone, 100% of hazardous waste, daily-life solid waste and plastic waste in coastal areas are collected and treated up to environmental standards; 100% of economic zones, industrial parks and urban areas in coastal areas have centralized wastewater treatment systems, meeting environmental standards and regulations.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop on behalf of the Norwegian Embassy, Deputy Ambassador-Ms. Mette Moglestue said “Norway was one of the first countries to develop coastal and oceanic management plans. These plans have been developed and perfected by us over many years – doing and learning from experience. Norway’s waters are now among the world’s best managed, with high value creation. Specifically, the ocean contributes 70% of total Norwegian export revenue.”
“Norway’s experience in integrated management of seas and oceans shows that it is possible to develop a strong ocean economy while ensuring a clean and healthy marine environment. A quality marine spatial plan is the key to success. Therefore, we are very pleased to be with UNDP and Vietnamese partner agencies to organize today’s workshop and share Norway’s experience in this regard,” added Deputy Ambassador Moglestue.
On the side of UNDP, Mr. Patrick Haverman – UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam – said that sustainable management of marine and coastal areas is an important tool to help Vietnam in developing a blue sea economy. promote the development of new industries to increase incomes and create jobs. In particular, coastal planning and open marine spatial planning have the opportunity to exploit the great potential of marine wind energy as an important renewable energy source to achieve Vietnam’s climate goals.
“Coastal planning will also help ensure optimal and harmonized development among sectors in exploiting and using Vietnam’s coastal resources, as well as ensuring the conservation of nature and biodiversity, preserving cultural and historical values, improving resilience to climate change”- Mr. Patrick Haverman emphasized
At the workshop, the representative of the Department of Seas and Islands of Vietnam presented the content of the master plan for exploitation and sustainable use of coastal resources in the period of 2021 – 2030, with a vision to 2045. The plan was drawn up. on the basis of integrating relevant national sector plans within the coastal zone, but with adjustment and handling for overlapping areas in terms of coastal space use; ensure harmony in exploitation and use of natural resources, environmental protection and sustainable development of coastal areas.
Le Kim Lien
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