VietNamNet Bridge – Individuals and organisations should act to protect the environment for mitigating climate change as well as the sustainable development of the country, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Bui Cach Tuyen has said.

Volunteers clean up the environment at the Thong Nhat Park celebrating the Clean Up the World environmental campaign. (Photo: VNS)
Speaking at the launching ceremony of the annual Clean Up the World environmental campaign in HCM City last Saturday, he said: "It is necessary to prevent pollution. The business community should overcome the mindset of prioritising economic benefits while ignoring the environment."

Hundreds of young people were present at the ceremony and later began to clean up neighbourhoods and universities, plant trees, and exhort people to take part in environmental protection activities.

Graeme Swift, Australian consul general in HCM City, saying many people joining hands for environmental protection would usher in big changes and encourage greater participation in the campaign.

This year's campaign is titled "Our place... Our planet... Our responsibility."

Clean Up the World was initiated by Australian Ian Kiernan and has become an annual feature in many countries for the last 19 years.

Last year it attracted 35 million volunteers in 130 countries.

Viet Nam has been a participant for 17 years.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News