At the ongoing fourth substantive session of the U.N. open-ended working group on conventional ammunition in New York, Minister Counselor Le Thi Minh Thoa, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, also shared the international community’s common concern over the risks and challenges brought about by the illicit trade, transfer, misuse and mismanagement of ammunition. She said the framework should be voluntary and non-binding, take into account the level of development and national law, and place no additional burdens on developing countries. It needs to capitalize on existing mechanisms related to ammunition including the U.N.’s Program of Action on small arms and light weapons and Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, as well as nations’ efforts in the matter, Thoa elaborated. She held that in this process, support for and cooperation with developing countries in capacity building, technology transfer and resource assistance are crucial in … [Read more...] about Conventional ammunition management framework must respect international law, U.N. Charter: official
Water resource and management
Thailand forecasts huge losses caused by climate change
The drought-stricken Kwan Phayao Lake in Phayao province in northern Thailand in May 2023. (Photo: bangkokpost.com) Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has said drought, floods and other extreme weather exacerbated by climate change could cause damage worth 36 billion THB (1 billion USD) to the Thai economy this year. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), a key member of the JSCCIB, stressed that water scarcity caused by drought is the committee's leading concern because it could have a massive impact on both the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, hampering already sluggish exports. According to the Commerce Ministry's latest data, in the first four months of 2023 Thai exports decreased by 5.2% year-on-year to 92 billion USD, while imports fell by 2.2% to 96.5 billion USD, resulting in a trade deficit of 4.51 billion USD. drought , hoping to work with the … [Read more...] about Thailand forecasts huge losses caused by climate change
Lawmakers to discuss draft revised Land Law
An overview of a discussion during the NA's fifth session. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Legislators are scheduled to discuss in groups the draft Land Law (revised) at the National Assembly 's ongoing fifth session in Hanoi on June 9. The bill, which was made public to receive opinions from the people from January 3 to March 15, aims to complete the land-related institutions and policies to match the socialist-oriented market economy institutions, while dealing with the overlapping and differences in policies and legal regulations in the field. It is expected to create a legal corridor for the efficient and sustainable management and use of land resources, ensuring defence-security, protecting the environment, adapting to climate changes and making a new motivation for the country to become a developed country with high income. The bill is also hoped to settle problems in land management and use, ensure harmonised interests of the State, land users and investors, promote the … [Read more...] about Lawmakers to discuss draft revised Land Law
Sacombank starts adoption of Basel III norms
Sacombank began a project to implement Basel III and strengthen risk management capacity with EY Vietnam Consulting JSC offering consultancy. — Photo courtesy of the bank Sacombank has begun a project to implement Basel III and strengthen risk management capacity with EY Vietnam Consulting Joint Stock Company offering consultancy. The project is meant to build an organisational structure for risk management in line with international rules and the bank’s strategies, improve capital and asset quality to ensure stable and sustainable business operations and meet the increasingly stringent requirements for the banking industry, optimise the process of identifying, measuring, monitoring, controlling, and overcoming risks, and develop skilled human resources and a modern information technology system. Pham Van Phong, the lender's vice chairman, said: “Sacombank is well aware of the importance of applying Basel III rules and improving its risk management system. “This is one of the … [Read more...] about Sacombank starts adoption of Basel III norms
Prolonged drought takes heavy toll on Vietnam’s largest hydropower reservoir
Sweltering temperatures have hit various northern parts of Vietnam, leaving water in the Son La hydropower reservoir, the largest of its kind in the country, reaching critically low levels and thereby putting stress on power generation and supply as well as the livelihoods of local people. Over the past few days, during which the northwestern region saw temperatures nearly reach 40 degrees Celsius, the Son La and Lai Chau hydropower plants, located in the namesake provinces, respectively, were almost inactive. The record-low water levels of a downstream area of the Son La hydropower reservoir, the largest of its kind in Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre Mai Duc Tiep, who is in charge of the Son La hydropower plant’s operations team, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) news that the water levels in the dam hit record low in 13 years, below the dead-pool level of 175 meters. Six turbines at the plant, which had been operational during the previous extreme hot days, have … [Read more...] about Prolonged drought takes heavy toll on Vietnam’s largest hydropower reservoir
Kien Giang kick-starts military-civilian program in 2024
Themed “Kien Giang provincial armed forces together with the party organization, authorities, and people of Hon Dat district build new-style rural area,” the program will take place from June 2023 to January 2024. As planned, the program will facilitate the construction of 115 houses for needy households and seven rural bridges; present gifts to policy beneficiaries, poor and near-poor families; provide health examination, medicines, and consultation for locals. The organizing panel will present scholarships to needy students with good academic results; build electricity systems in rural areas; carry out environment projects; and hold artistic and sporting events and competitions. Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Chairman of the Kien Giang provincial People’s Committee and head of the steering committee Nguyen Luu Trung evaluated that this mass mobilization model bears profound socio-political and humane significance, embodying the tradition of "When drinking water, remember its … [Read more...] about Kien Giang kick-starts military-civilian program in 2024
HanoiPlasPrintPack Exhibition launched to boost local plastic industry development
In 2022, industry revenue exceeded US$25 billion, an increase of 5.7% year-over-year. The 11th Hanoi International Plastics, Rubber, Printing and Packaging Industry Exhibition (HanoiPlasPrintPack), considered a platform to promote the development of the local plastics industry, is underway at the Hanoi International Exhibition Center (ICE) from June 8 to 11. Overview of the event. Photo: VGP The annual Hanoi PlasPrintPack Fair, jointly organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Yorkers Exhibition Service Vietnam, has returned after a long hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Building on the success of Vietnamplas, held annually in Ho Chi Minh City and is the largest plastics industry exhibition in Vietnam, this event has attracted numerous domestic and international companies. With over 340 booths representing 220 companies from countries such as Belgium, China, Hong Kong (China), India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan … [Read more...] about HanoiPlasPrintPack Exhibition launched to boost local plastic industry development
Restrooms in Ho Chi Minh hotspots open to the public
Ho Chi Minh City has put into service four bathrooms built in prime locations to serve the needs of dwellers and tourists as part of a bid to address a dearth of toilets in the city. The city’s administration approved the building of makeshift toilets on four out of five vacant land lots in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Natural Resources and Environment. They are located on Le Duan Boulevard, Hai Ba Trung, Nguyen Trung Truc and Nguyen Hue Streets. Each of these public toilets covers eight square meters and features a stall outside for selling goods. Earnings from this sale booth will be used to maintain the operation of these public bathrooms. The District 1 administration had earlier called on over 100 restaurants, eateries and coffee shops to offer gratis toilet service to residents and tourists. A bathroom featuring a shopping booth is open to the public free of charge. Photo: Luu Duyen / Tuoi Tre A … [Read more...] about Restrooms in Ho Chi Minh hotspots open to the public
16th working day of 15th NA’s fifth session
An overview of a discussion during the NA's fifth session. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The National Assembly (NA) on June 9 continued the 16th working day of its fifth sitting under the chair of NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. In the morning, authorised by the Prime Minister, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh presented reports on the draft revised Land Law and public opinions on the bill. Chairman of the NA’s Economic Committee Vu Hong Thanh delivered a report verifying the draft revised Land Law . Then the legislature discussed in groups the draft law. In the afternoon, under the direction of NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Khac Dinh, the NA discussed a draft amended resolution on conducting votes of confidence for those holding positions elected or approved by the NA or the People's Councils. Most of the speakers at the discussion agreed on the necessity of promulgating the resolution; dossiers, order, procedures and basic contents in the draft … [Read more...] about 16th working day of 15th NA’s fifth session
Open data and AI – the engine of economic growth
Experts speaking at the conference. — Photo baothuathienhue.vn Data was the new, most important and inexhaustible input, a new driving force for transformation, economic development, and a new way to improve management capacity, said Nguyen Huy Dung, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, at an international conference on open data and AI. The Ministry of Information and Communications coordinated with the People's Committee of Thua Thien – Hue Province and the World Bank to organise an international conference on open data and AI for economic growth in Hue City on Thursday. The conference aims to exchange and comment on the role of open data and the development trend of artificial intelligence (AI) in the world, thereby identifying challenges, proposing specific actions to develop open data, promote the development and application of AI to create a driving force for economic growth. This year was the year of National Digital Data in Viet Nam, said Dung. … [Read more...] about Open data and AI – the engine of economic growth