Releasing hatchlings to the sea for regenerating aquatic resources during a ceremony to mark Vietnam Seas and Island Week 2017 in Ca Mau province on June 8, 2017. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Accordingly, for the first time, the ministry will combine a series of activities under the event with environmental activities in response to World Oceans Day (June 8) and World Environment Day (June 5), as well as a national action month for environmental protection.

The Sea and Island Week, to last from June 1-8, and the action month for the environment, to take place throughout June, will be launched in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu on June 1.

According to MoNRE Deputy Minister Tran Quy Kien, the two above-mentioned campaigns will focus on pervasive practical activities with strong influence on public awareness.

The ministry will coordinate with the relevant agencies and localities to organise communication activities on the significance of Vietnam Seas and Island Week, as well as World Oceans Day and World Environment Day, while encouraging and facilitating community activities to protect the marine and island environment and disseminating information about the harms of air pollution and how using public transport benefits the air environment.

A focus will be paid on deploying the anti-plastic waste movement with the active implementation of specific programmes on classification, collection, transportation and treatment of urban and rural solid waste and plastic waste along the coast and on islands.

The organisers also set the target to organise activities with the direct participation of the community, such as campaigns launched to clean the environment, collect and dispose of waste, and encourage the use of public transport to minimise sources of air pollution, as well as planting trees in urban and residential areas.

Along with that, a series of conferences on the management, exploitation and use of natural resources and environmental protection in a sustainable manner, serving socio-economic development and ensuring security and defence, will also be held.

The organisers also encourage the construction and handover of environmental protection works to serve the interests of the community, such as planting trees to block sand and prevent erosion and saline intrusion, in addition to realising environmental criteria in new rural area construction and supporting local people to adapt to climate change.

Nhan Dan