Quang Ninh: A flagship in the fight against plastic waste

On the morning of June 1, a well-attended meeting took place at 30/10 Square, situated along the picturesque shore of Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh province. The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh province to commemorate World Environment Day on June 5 and to launch National Action Month for the Environment 2025.

During his speech at the ceremony, Mr. Nghiem Xuan Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Quang Ninh Provincial People’s Committee, expressed the province’s honor in collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to organize this important National Launch Ceremony. The event centers around the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution,” highlighting the urgent need to address the growing environmental challenges posed by plastic waste.

“On behalf of the provincial leaders, I would like to extend my best wishes to the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment, distinguished delegates, and the people attending today’s launch ceremony for good health and happiness. I also wish our event great success and sincerely hope that you will have memorable and positive impressions of Quang Ninh province and Ha Long Bay to share with your family and friends in the future,” said Mr. Nghiem Xuan Cuong.

According to Mr. Nghiem Xuan Cuong, Quang Ninh province fully recognizes the importance of environmental protection, combating plastic pollution, and improving the quality of living environment.

Over the past years, in accordance with the directives of the Party and the State, particularly those related to proactive climate change response, enhanced resource management, and environmental protection, Quang Ninh province has issued numerous foundational and strategic directives. These have established a comprehensive and unified legal framework to guide the implementation of related tasks. To effectively implement these directives, Quang Ninh has implemented a range of creative, efficient, and far-reaching activities.

Notable achievements include, in 2019, Quang Ninh being among the first provinces nationwide to launch a province-wide campaign against plastic waste. This campaign mobilized participation across the entire political system, business community, and local residents.

In 2022, the Party Committee of Co To District introduced and implemented a project titled “Co To district says no to plastic waste,” making it the first island district in the country to have a dedicated project and resolution from the Party Committee specifically addressing the prevention and control of plastic waste.

Various initiatives, such as the “Plastic waste-free Ha Long Bay” model, proposed and implemented by the Ha Long Bay Management Board, and the “Vrac-Bank” program carried out by Quang Ninh Cement and Construction Joint Stock Company, have made a positive impact and received enthusiastic support from the community.

To date, movements such as “Green Saturday,” “Green Journey,” and “Plastic waste collection along the coastline,” along with numerous campaigns to collect plastic waste at coastal tourist spots and Ha Long Bay, have been regularly maintained. These efforts have significantly contributed to fostering environmentally conscious and civilized lifestyles within the community. They have also played a crucial role in noticeably improving the quality of the tourism environment while raising public awareness and promoting responsible consumer behaviors.

Mr. Nghiem Xuan Cuong emphasized that this year’s World Environment Day, with the theme “Combating Plastic Pollution,” holds particular significance and urgency. He noted that the theme reflects the profound concern shared not only by the international community but also by Vietnam regarding the escalating environmental crisis caused by plastic waste. This issue poses serious threats to ecosystems, public health, and sustainable development, making the fight against plastic pollution a critical priority for governments, organizations, and individuals alike.

“We firmly believe that, with the Government’s attention, the close guidance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, effective support from international organizations, experts, and scientists, as well as the active participation of localities, businesses, and citizens, the response activities will spread widely and yield practical results. This will move Vietnam closer to the goal of becoming a plastic waste-free country in the near future,” reiterated the Quang Ninh provincial leader.