Environment

Francophone states gather to discuss the environment (03-06-2005) HA NOI — Experts from Francophone countries flocked to Ha Noi yesterday for a three-day meeting on energy and the environment during the 2006-09 period. The meeting is held by the Orientation Council under the Francophone Institute of Energy and Environment (IEPF). The conference aims to help member countries fully tap their potentials in energy and the environment and to meet the 10-year strategic framework goal, which was approved by the Francophone Summit in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, last year. Director of the Centre for Renewable Energy and Rural Development Le Hoang To, who represents Viet Nam at the IEPF Orientation Council and who represents the Asia-Pacific region at the meeting, said IEPF-funded projects in Viet Nam have focused on human resources development, biological diversity and the environment. The IEPF has also funded research projects on new energy sources, she added. In … [Read more...] about Francophone states gather to discuss the environment

NA considers laws on forex, environment (05-10-2005) HA NOI — The National Assembly Standing Committee yesterday discussed several draft laws and ordinances, including the Ordinance on Foreign Exchange and the revised Law on Environmental Protection. State Bank of Viet Nam Governor Le Duc Thuy told the committee that the drafting committee was racing against time to complete the Ordinance on Foreign Exchange on schedule, with assistance from the International Monetary Fund. While the draft ordinance has already gained across-the-board support from the Government, there have also been opinions among National Assembly deputies that it needs to be more flexible and preserve national interests without conflicting with international conventions. At the same time, standing committee members also suggested reviewing existing State foreign exchange control measures to make it easier for people to trade foreign currencies. Deputy National Assembly chairman Nguyen Van … [Read more...] about NA considers laws on forex, environment

Environment ministry: Hanoi not among most air-polluted cities By Van Ly Local motorcyclists wear face masks to prevent themselves from dust and vehicle emissions on Ngo Gia Tu Street, Long Bien District, Hanoi. The concentration of ultrafine particles in the city was extremely high for several days in quarter one this year – PHOTO: TPO HANOI - Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Vo Tuan Nhan, speaking at a press conference on April 2, refuted a conclusion by non-governmental environmental organization Greenpeace, which previously claimed that Hanoi ranked second among the worst cities in Southeast Asia for air pollution. The Hanoi-based Green Innovation and Development Center, also known as GreenID, on March 6 issued a press release saying Greenpeace’s 2018 World Air Quality Report listed Hanoi as the second most air-polluted city in the region, preceded by Jakarta in Indonesia. Data from the report showed the air quality of 20 cities in only four … [Read more...] about Environment ministry: Hanoi not among most air-polluted cities

Chemicals must be environment friendly, safe, say NA deputies (26-10-2007) Ha Noi — National Assembly deputies emphasised the need for Viet Nam’s new Chemical Law to ensure safety and environmental protection when they discussed the proposed legislation in a plenary session yesterday. Earlier, the deputies heard suggestions for changes to the draft law in a report from their Standing Committee. The report says the proposed law contains regulations for all the country’s chemical-related activities. These include the production, trade, and safety procedures for the use of chemicals as well as the rights and obligations of individuals, organisations and the State in their management. It says the draft law stipulates that individuals and organisations engaged in chemical-related activities must ensure the safety of both people and the environment. New, dangerous and banned chemicals must be strictly controlled. But deputy Nguyen Minh Thuyet, northern Lang … [Read more...] about Chemicals must be environment friendly, safe, say NA deputies

Vice President affirms country’s will to protect environment (20-10-2008) Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan (centre) attends the Francophone summit in Quebec City, Canada. — VNA/VNS Photo Nhan Sang QUEBEC — Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan affirmed at the Francophone summit in Quebec, Canada on Saturday that Viet Nam was ready to co-operate on environmental protection and sustainable development. Doan praised the French-speaking community for selecting the environment as one of the main themes of the summit. She said the Vietnamese Government appreciated efforts by the international community in general, and the French-speaking community in particular, for environmental protection. She said Viet Nam had implemented many measures, including the building of a national strategy for environmental protection to 2010 with an eye to 2020. The country had also participated in many international conferences and signed several international conventions. … [Read more...] about Vice President affirms country’s will to protect environment

Singaporean firms pleased with trade environment (17-11-2009) Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong welcomes President Nguyen Minh Triet during his visit to Singapore. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Khang SINGAPORE — Singaporean enterprises are content with the trade and investment environment in Viet Nam and will continue to expand trade relations with the country, said Singaporean President Sellapan Rama Nathan to President Nguyen Minh Triet. The statement was made at a meeting between President S.R. Nathan and President Triet on the latter’s first state-level visit to Singapore. He was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem; Chairman of the President’s Office Nguyen Van Chien; Minister of Trade and Industry Vu Huy Hoang; Minister of Finance Vu Van Ninh; Vietnamese Ambassador in Singapore Nguyen Trung Thanh and other officials. While lauding Viet Nam’s achievements made during the renewal process, President Nathan said … [Read more...] about Singaporean firms pleased with trade environment

DAK NONG — President Nguyen Minh Triet has told the Central Highland province of Dak Nong to take more advantage of its potential for socio-economic development. While working with Dak Nong provincial leaders yesterday, Triet said Dak Nong should work more closely with central agencies when planning, exploiting and processing natural resources for export, particularly bauxite so that the environment could be better protected. He told the province to use its land resources more effectively by developing large-scale crops with high economic value. Triet said it should target its capital at the rural transport system and invest further in education, health care and culture. Dak Nong must also reform its administrative operations and investment procedures and create policies to encourage foreign and domestic investors, the President added. He praised Dak Nong for stepping up socio-ecomomic development and improving the living standards of ethnic minorities. The State leader … [Read more...] about ‘Keep environment clean’: President

HCMC extends environment sanitation project The Saigon Times Daily A view of the Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal. The HCMC government has approved the second phase of an environmental sanitation project at the site - PHOTO: LE ANH HCMC - The HCMC government has approved the second phase of an environmental sanitation project, worth US$524 million, to treat waste sludge using advanced technology, build an environmental learning center, and install a solar power system at the Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe wastewater treatment plant. Of the total investment, US$450 million will be sourced from official development assistance loans, and the remaining from the city’s reciprocal capital. The project will help treat 480,000 cubic meters of wastewater per day initially, and the capacity is expected to increase to 850,000 cubic meters later. According to a representative of the management board of urban infrastructure construction and investment, the technology for treating waste sludge at … [Read more...] about HCMC extends environment sanitation project

HA NOI — ASEAN senior environment officials will hold their 21st meeting (ASOEN 21) in Ha Noi from August 27, alongside the East Asian Senior Officials' meeting and the ASEAN Exhibition on Biodiversity. About 100-150 delegates from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and dialogue partners, including Japan, China, New Zealand, Australia and India, will attend the meeting. At ASOEN 21, officials will evaluate the work of ASEAN in managing the maritime environment, nature preservation, bio-diversity, building environmentally sustainable cities, water-resource management and environmental education and training. Officials will also discuss the ASEAN Transboundary Haze Pollution Accord and climate change. In addition, delegates will assess the effectiveness of collaborative projects between ASEAN and dialogue partners. Officials at the East Asian Senior Officials' meeting will look into various programmes such as the "Cities, Resource Efficiency, and the 3R Policy … [Read more...] about ASEAN’s senior officials to meet on environment

H A NOI — The Government of Viet Nam will create a favourable environment and better conditions for businesses from the United Arab Emirates to successfully invest in the country. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung made the commitment while receiving UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Ha Noi on Saturday. Having applauded the outcome of earlier talks between Nahyan and Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem, PM Dung said the UAE Foreign Minister's ongoing visit would positively contribute to the growing bilateral relationship. Viet Nam would further step up its friendship and multifaceted co-operation with the UAE, especially in fields both sides hold potential in such as trade, investment, oil and gas, tourism, labour and agriculture, said the Prime Minister. He added that Viet Nam expected more and more UAE investors to co-operate with its leading groups and companies, particularly in the areas of energy, oil and gas, aviation, … [Read more...] about PM pledges better business environment for UAE firms