Hanoi (VNA) - Ping Kitnikone, Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam has praisedefforts and progresses made by the Hanoi authority in protecting and improvingthe environment.

Speaking at the Green Living Festival inresponse to the national action month for environmental protection and WorldEnvironment Day which took place in the capital city on June 1-2, she saidrepresentatives of embassies and international partner agencies had been workinghard to launch a communication campaign against plastic pollution in Vietnam.

Notably, representatives from 41 embassies and international organisations willsign a code of conduct on plastic pollution prevention, committing to reducing plasticwaste by adjusting internal regulations, and encouraging partners to apply solutionsto minimize or eliminate plastic waste, she said.


She added that international diplomatic missions in Vietnamhope to work with the Vietnamese government and people, enterprises and otherpartners to continue joint efforts, aiming to reduce plastic waste in thecountry.

The municipal authorities pledged to gradually phase plasticbags out and replace them with more durable materials.

With sustainability in nature, plastic waste (plasticbottles, nylon bags, plastic food boxes and cups ...) along with otherenvironmental pollutants have been negatively impacting on the environment,economy social and human health.

In that context, through the "Green LivingFestival" with concrete and practical activities, Hanoi has expressed itsdetermination and efforts in appealing consumers to save and recycle plasticwaste; encourage the use of environmentally friendly energy, technologies and products;the electronic waste collection, towards a green and sustainable environment inHanoi.

According to the municipal Department of Natural Resources and Environment, “thenational action month for environmental protection” kicked off in many districtand towns on May 15 and will last until July 31.

A series of activities in the framework of the programme havebeen organised, focusing on how to address issues related to management ofnatural resources; environmental protection; and collection, treatment andmanagement of waste.

Attention has been also paid to intensifying the inspection, supervision andthorough treatment of projects prone to causing high environmental pollution; exploiting,using effectively and sustainably the water resources; and promoting thespecial control of production establishments, which are likely to cause highenvironmental pollution.

The Green Living Festival was organised by the municipal Department of NaturalResources and Environment, the People’s Committee of Hoan Kiem district, andLive and Learn Vietnam. 

An activity themed “What is happening to theenvironment in Hanoi?” features games providing information about environmentalpollution, along with an exhibition of installation art works made from plasticstraws, plastic bags and bottles.

Street music performances are also set to be a special treatfor participants in the festival.

On June 5, a clean-up campaign will be launchedin Tri Thuy commune of Phu Xuyen district to clean the environment, dredgecannels, sort waste and plant trees. It is hoped to draw 500 local residents.

These events are part of efforts to connectstate managerial agencies with civil organisations, schools and businesses toencourage joint efforts to protect the environment and promote sustainabledevelopment.-VNA