APEC trade policy on environmental services deliberated
As part of the second APEC SOM 2 and related meeting, the Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI) hosted a Trade Policy Dialogue (TPD) on Environmental Services in Hanoi on May 11.
The Trade Policy Dialogue (TPD) on Environmental Services in Hanoi on May 11 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – As part of the secondAPEC Senior Officials Meeting (SOM 2) and related meeting, the Committee onTrade and Investment (CTI) hosted a Trade Policy Dialogue (TPD) onEnvironmental Services in Hanoi on May 11.
The dialogue was designed to provide information aboutthe classification of environmental services, study the combination ofenvironmental products and services and discuss ways for APEC member economiesto support each other in speeding up negotiations on environmental services.
At the dialogue, JehanSauvage, a Trade Policy Analyst in the Trade and AgricultureDirectorate of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD),shared his expertise about environmental services.
Accordingto him, there are three basic types of environmental services: keyenvironmental services (wastewater treatment, underground water management);environment-related services (consultant and technical services) and otherservices directly related to the environment (legal and auditing services).
Water resourcesbusiness was also a topic that gained attention from delegates at the dialoguewhere they mentioned factors considered as a momentum to enhance creativity andefficiency as well as challenges in this field.
Regardingthe limited use of recycled items and disposable products, participants emphasisedthe importance of circular economic model and ways to reduce the re-use andrecycling of items in the daily life. The disposal, treatment and management ofwaste not only bring benefits to society but also the environment, they noted.
Overcoming the environmental damage was also a type ofservice debated by the delegates. This sector has faced a number of challengesdue to different standards and regulations on the environment in differenteconomies and political institutions.
During the course of the final session, the panelsdeliberated ways to effectively boost renewable energy business, noting that thesense of efficiency in thinking and action could improve the quality ofbusiness and enhance competitiveness in the market.
Legal challenges are likely to hinder development ofthe renewable energy sector and they should be removed as soon as possible,they said.-VNA
APEC economies will participate in a high-level policy dialogue on human resources development in the digital era in Hanoi on May 14 and 15, as heard at a press conference by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs on May 10.
Representatives from APEC member economies continued to discuss the role of women in economy, people with disabilities, human resources development, mining and auto industry in Hanoi on May 10
Today is the busiest day within the framework of the second APEC Senior Officials Meeting (SOM 2) and related meetings with 11 meetings and workshops hosted by APEC working groups and subcommittees.
The globalisation process and the 4th industrial revolution is posing big challenges to member economies of APEC forum in general and Vietnam in particular, said a Vietnamese official.
Representatives from Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies gathered in Hanoi on May 11 for the 10th APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI-10) Meeting.
Mariam Sherman, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, said the World Bank remains committed to working with the Vietnamese government to develop the next phase of climate resilience and transformation for the Mekong Delta.
Under the directive, the PM instructed relevant agencies to regularly inspect, supervise and proactively implement disaster prevention, response and rescue measures in line with their assigned roles and mandates, ensuring readiness, avoiding passivity or delays, and maintaining operational continuity amid ongoing political and administrative restructuring at levels.
According to Dr. Vu Anh Tuan, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Space Centre and head of the project, this is the first study in Vietnam to simultaneously employ Sentinel-2 satellite data, advanced machine learning algorithms, and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud computing platform to model and monitor key seawater quality parameters.
The Deposit Return System is seen as a potential instrument for effectively advancing Vietnam’s vision of a circular economy, as outlined in Article 142 of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection.
The figures were highlighted in a Pre-Feasibility Study on a DRS tailored for single-use beverage packaging in Vietnam, conducted by Eunomia Research & Consulting.
Young people should not view AI as salvation but rather as a tool under human control. Young creators should focus on learning and accumulating practical knowledge, using AI as a tool to carry out artistic projects in the most effective and cost-efficient manner.
Saigon Hi-Tech Park’s ambitious 50% renewable energy goal far exceeds the city’s 15% target, positioning the park as a trailblazing “living lab” for sustainable energy solutions.
Vietnam's economic losses from natural disasters are estimated to account for 1 to 1.5% of GDP annually - a steep price that will continue to rise unless the country takes strong action.
Wutip, the first storm in the East Sea so far this year, has wreaked havoc across central Vietnam, claiming lives, displacing residents, and causing widespread damage to houses, crops, and infrastructure, the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control reported as of 6:30 pm on June 13.
The tremor occurred at 7:39:46 am (Hanoi time), with the epicentre located at latitude 14.924°N and longitude 108.236°E, at a depth of approximately 8.1 kilometres. The natural disaster risk level was classified as 0 – the lowest on the scale.
Addressing a session on “Accelerating Financing for Resilience: Tailored Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction,” Deputy Minister Hiep emphasised Vietnam's proposal in building sustainable financing in response to natural disasters, which aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction's goals.
Vietnam has demonstrated its strong commitments by participating in global sustainable development forums, signing multiple free trade agreements, and attracting support from international partners for the implementation of the SDGs.
The fight against plastic pollution could not succeed through isolated efforts, but it must be a collective endeavour involving the entire political system, businesses, citizens, and the international community, said Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy.
Lang Son Global Geopark, with its outstanding geological values, cultural heritage, and unique natural landscapes, represents a valuable addition to UNESCO’s global geoparks system.
In 2019, Quang Ninh became one of the first localities in Vietnam to launch a province-wide campaign against plastic waste, mobilising the participation of the political system, the business sector, and the general public. Other localities—such as Hai Phong, Da Nang, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City—have also effectively implemented waste-sorting initiatives at source, along with models for plastic-free markets and urban areas.
This year’s World Oceans Day on June 8 is themed 'Wonderful Oceans: Sustaining What Sustains Us', while World Environment Day is on June 5 with the theme: 'Beat Plastic Pollution'.
According to Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment Le Huu Toan, a fire prevention and control plan has been in place since the dry season began, including round-the-clock patrols and rapid-response teams to snuff out fires before they could spread.
Renowned artists including Ha Anh Tuan, Den Vau, and Phan Manh Quynh, along with many directors and attendees, took part in planting hundreds of rare tree species such as mun (Diospyros mun) and cho chi (Parashorea chinensis) in the Thung Bong area of the Cuc Phuong National Park, contributing to forest ecosystem restoration.
The Trade Policy Dialogue (TPD) on Environmental Services in Hanoi on May 11 (Photo: VNA) 
