In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, the official said that now in the fourth year of the pandemic, Vietnam and the world are in a much better place than they were even 12 months ago. “The tools and vaccines we have are proven to protect lives and significantly reduce risk of severe illness and death and also, in most places, to enable health systems to function more normally again,” she said. She added it is hoped that 2023 will be the year in which COVID-19 can be said to be over as a public health emergency of international concern. Assessing Vietnam's response to the COVID-19 pandemic for each stage of the pandemic, Angela said that from the start, Vietnam had well-calibrated and strong public health and social measures in place. These included a strong capacity for early detection and response, robust surveillance measures, strong border measures, and social restrictions, community adherence to personal protective behaviors; and healthcare capacity. “All … [Read more...] about Vietnam in sustainable management phase of COVID-19 pandemic: WHO representative
Sustainable agriculture
International conference talks heritage’s role in sustainable development
The conference, themed “Promoting the role of world cultural and natural heritage in sustainable development in Vietnam,” was jointly held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO and the Hanoi People’s Committee. It formed part of activities marking 35 years since Vietnam ratified the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. The participants reviewed the protection and promotion of world cultural and natural heritage values in Vietnam, and exchanged experience in state management and the optimization of world heritage values in local socio-economic development. Vice Chairman of the Hanoi Municipal People’s Committee Ha Minh Hai said after the Thang Long Imperial Citadel won the UNESCO recognition in 2010, the Government, ministries, agencies and local authorities have focused on preserving the site and promoting its historical, cultural, architectural and artistic values. Communications … [Read more...] about International conference talks heritage’s role in sustainable development
Vietnamese, French localities look to step up cooperation
Presiding over the ceremony, Mayor of Poitiers Eléonore Moncond'huy spoke highly of the the twinning relationship between the French locality and Vietnam's central city of Hue in particular, as well as the traditional cooperation between the two countries in general. She called on partners of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, including Poitiers, to proactively renew existing relationships, and look for new cooperation fields such as energy transformation, digital transformation, and green and sustainable development. Representing officials of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, Pascal Duforestel highlighted the traditional twinning relationship between Vietnam’s Lao Cai province and Poitou-Charente (the old name of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region before 2016), which has been maintained and developed until now with cooperation projects in agriculture, French language teaching and tourism training. He pledged that the regional authority will support twinning cooperation projects, and promote … [Read more...] about Vietnamese, French localities look to step up cooperation
Coastal communities to fight illegal fishing with own surveillance forces
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on March 24 sent a document to coastal communities, asking them to quickly establish their own fisheries surveillance teams to enforce legal regulations on the exploitation and protection of aquatic resources. In a document sent to Chairpersons of the municipal and provincial People’s Committees, the ministry pointed to the fact that aquatic resources, biodiversity and marine ecosystems are declining rapidly, along with huge and unsustainable exploitation. Meanwhile, the apparatus organisation for law enforcement in the localities has yet to be strengthened, and there are shortages of both workforce and equipment to carry out patrols, inspections and the settlement of wrongdoings at sea, leading to the high rate of violations of relevant legal regulations. According to the ministry, about 20% of the inspected vessels have committed violations. After three inspections on … [Read more...] about Coastal communities to fight illegal fishing with own surveillance forces
Vietnam aims for five international-standard cities by 2045
The country should have a high level of urbanization comparable to ASEAN and Asia by 2045. Vietnam aims to have at least five cities of international caliber to serve as locomotives for regional and international development networks by 2045, according to an action plan released by the Ministry of Construction (MoC) recently. Under the action plan, the ministry will execute two resolutions, one by Politburo and the other by the Government, on the sustainable development, management, and construction of urban areas in Vietnam by 2030 with a vision for 2045. Hanoi from above. Photo: Huu Thang The country plans to build a high level of urbanization comparable to ASEAN and Asia by 2045. The urban system would be integrated, balanced, and sensitive to climate change, natural disasters, and epidemics, while promoting environmental protection and distinctively modern architecture with green and smart elements, according to the action plan. Other key targets … [Read more...] about Vietnam aims for five international-standard cities by 2045
Hanoi seeks support from World Heritage Centre in restoration of Kinh Thien Palace
Secretary of the Hanoi Party’s Committee Dinh Tien Dung on March 24 asked for continued support from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (WHC) for a project to restore Kinh Thien Palace in the Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi, which was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010. Kinh Thien Palace is the most important building of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel (Photo: VNA) He made the suggestion at a reception for the WHC’s director, Lazzarre Eloundou, who is on a visit to Vietnam to attend a conference entitled “Promoting the role of world cultural and natural heritage in sustainable development in Vietnam.” Dung said as a "Heritage City" with an extremely rich and diverse cultural heritage fund, Hanoi has received great attention and help from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in cultural conservation and development . He affirmed that the cooperation between Hanoi and UNESCO has contributed to … [Read more...] about Hanoi seeks support from World Heritage Centre in restoration of Kinh Thien Palace
ASEAN bolsters digital collaboration
Delegates at the first ASEAN Digital Senior Officials’ Meeting – ASEAN Telecommunications Regulators Council Leaders Retreat (1st ADGSOM-ATRC Leaders’ Retreat) (Photo: VNA) Jakarta (VNA) - The First ASEAN Digital Senior Officials’ Meeting and ASEAN Telecommunications Regulators’ Council (ADGSOM – ATRC) Leaders’ Retreat in 2023 took place on March 20-21 at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia. The event was chaired by the Philippines as ADGSOM Chair for 2023. The meeting discussed the outcomes and follow-up actions from the 3rd ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN) held from February 6-10 in Boracay, the Philippines. Taking a multi-faceted approach that considers the economic, social, and environmental dimension of digitalisation and digital technologies, the meeting recognised the urgent need for collaboration and synergy among the ASEAN member states to achieve a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient digital future. With the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 … [Read more...] about ASEAN bolsters digital collaboration