Gov’t launches National Plastic Action Partnership

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung and participants at the launching ceremony of the Viet Nam National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) and the “Mitigating marine plastic debris in Viet Nam” project, Ha Noi, December 23, 2020 - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

This is the partnership between the Government of Viet Nam and the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) to rally efforts in plastic pollution reduction and transition to circular economy.

Viet Nam discharges about 22 million tons of solid trash annually, including 10% plastic waste and the figure is on the rise.

Through the NPAP, international organizations will support the Vietnamese Government in lessening plastic waste discharge and developing a roadmap towards eliminate single-use plastic and nylon bags, especially in urban areas, coastal tourist areas and marine protected areas.

Addressing the event, Deputy PM Dung asserted that the launch of the NPAP demonstrated the Government’s consistent stance of not trading the environment for economic growth.

He stressed that unsubstainable production and consumption of plastic products have resulted in serious problems to the environment. Plastic waste has become pressing issue in the world in general and in ASEAN in particular.

Plastic waste, mostly untreated, is buried or released into the environment, causing serious pollution and negatively affecting marine ecosystem and public health, Dung added.

He emphasized that it is high time for drastic and effective actions to shift to more sustainable and environmentally-friendly production and consumption of plastic products.

Dung expressed his belief that the NPAP will bring together management agencies, businesses and communities in a united effort to improve the effectiveness of handling plastic waste, thereby contributing to the realization of ASEAN’s commitments enshrined in the Bangkok Declaration on Combatting Marine Plastic Debris in ASEAN Region.

Regarding upcoming major tasks, Dung underlined the need to design national-level legal framework and mechanisms on extended responsibility of plastic producers as well as standard system on plastics.

He also called for more efforts to improve communities’ awareness of smart and sustainable plastic consumption while stepping up international cooperation in this area.

The Government of Viet Nam will create favorable conditions for successful implementation of the NPAP in Viet Nam and take drastic and responsible actions in reducing plastic waste in the region and the world, Dung affirmed.

By Thuy Dung