Vietnam seeks to effectively prevent land degradation, desertification
A dialogue on and solutions to combat land degradation was held by the General Department of Forestry under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) on June 16 in Hanoi.
Hanoi (VNA) – A dialogue on and solutions to combat land degradation was heldby the General Department of Forestry under the Ministryof Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) on June 16 in Hanoi.
This is part of a series of activities in response to the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought and the28 years of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Vice General Director of the General Department Pham Van Dien saidthat the forum offers a venue for sharing information, promoting ideas andinitiatives and proposing solutions to prevent land degradation and drought.
Vice General Director of the General Department Pham Van Dien speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)
Hecalled on ministries and sectors to discuss and come up with effectivesolutions to preventing desertification and land degradation in Vietnam inassociation with implementing the Sustainable Forestry Development Programme, towardsdeveloping the forestry industry into an important economic - technical -environmental sector with contributions to the country in the coming time.
Participants proposed solutions to prevent land degradation and combatdesertification in Vietnam associated with sustainable forestry development,improving livelihoods for people living in mountainous areas.
Tran The Lien, Director of the Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation of the General Department of Forestry, announced the messageof UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw on combating desertification to UN memberstates, which emphasised the need for countries to have preparations to dealwith drought effectively.
The UNCCD was adopted in 1994, grouping 197 members. Vietnam joined the conventionin 1998.
Theconvention aims to combat desertification/land degradation and mitigate the effects of drought in regionswith severe desertification and land degradation; and support countriesaffected by land degradation, desertification and drought to developsustainably./.
The theme of World Environment Day this year being “Ecosystem Restoration” expresses the importance of preserving and developing natural ecosystems in order to sustain a healthy environment for people’s survival.
Under the theme “Ecosystem Restoration”, the World Environment Day 2021 is viewed as the start of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021 - 2030).
Vietnam needs to encourage and improve capacity and responsibility for the environment and nature and implement preventive actions in management agencies and businesses to minimize nature degradation, an expert has said.
Vietnam is joining common efforts to restore the ecosystems in response to International Day for Biological Diversity 2022 themed “Building a shared future for all life”.
Local authorities and experts from international organisations and partners have discussed measures to increase the mangrove restoration and afforestation in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region at a workshop in Hanoi.
Under the directive, the PM instructed relevant agencies to regularly inspect, supervise and proactively implement disaster prevention, response and rescue measures in line with their assigned roles and mandates, ensuring readiness, avoiding passivity or delays, and maintaining operational continuity amid ongoing political and administrative restructuring at levels.
According to Dr. Vu Anh Tuan, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Space Centre and head of the project, this is the first study in Vietnam to simultaneously employ Sentinel-2 satellite data, advanced machine learning algorithms, and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud computing platform to model and monitor key seawater quality parameters.
The Deposit Return System is seen as a potential instrument for effectively advancing Vietnam’s vision of a circular economy, as outlined in Article 142 of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection.
The figures were highlighted in a Pre-Feasibility Study on a DRS tailored for single-use beverage packaging in Vietnam, conducted by Eunomia Research & Consulting.
Young people should not view AI as salvation but rather as a tool under human control. Young creators should focus on learning and accumulating practical knowledge, using AI as a tool to carry out artistic projects in the most effective and cost-efficient manner.
Saigon Hi-Tech Park’s ambitious 50% renewable energy goal far exceeds the city’s 15% target, positioning the park as a trailblazing “living lab” for sustainable energy solutions.
Vietnam's economic losses from natural disasters are estimated to account for 1 to 1.5% of GDP annually - a steep price that will continue to rise unless the country takes strong action.
Wutip, the first storm in the East Sea so far this year, has wreaked havoc across central Vietnam, claiming lives, displacing residents, and causing widespread damage to houses, crops, and infrastructure, the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control reported as of 6:30 pm on June 13.
The tremor occurred at 7:39:46 am (Hanoi time), with the epicentre located at latitude 14.924°N and longitude 108.236°E, at a depth of approximately 8.1 kilometres. The natural disaster risk level was classified as 0 – the lowest on the scale.
Addressing a session on “Accelerating Financing for Resilience: Tailored Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction,” Deputy Minister Hiep emphasised Vietnam's proposal in building sustainable financing in response to natural disasters, which aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction's goals.
Vietnam has demonstrated its strong commitments by participating in global sustainable development forums, signing multiple free trade agreements, and attracting support from international partners for the implementation of the SDGs.
The fight against plastic pollution could not succeed through isolated efforts, but it must be a collective endeavour involving the entire political system, businesses, citizens, and the international community, said Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy.
Lang Son Global Geopark, with its outstanding geological values, cultural heritage, and unique natural landscapes, represents a valuable addition to UNESCO’s global geoparks system.
In 2019, Quang Ninh became one of the first localities in Vietnam to launch a province-wide campaign against plastic waste, mobilising the participation of the political system, the business sector, and the general public. Other localities—such as Hai Phong, Da Nang, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City—have also effectively implemented waste-sorting initiatives at source, along with models for plastic-free markets and urban areas.
This year’s World Oceans Day on June 8 is themed 'Wonderful Oceans: Sustaining What Sustains Us', while World Environment Day is on June 5 with the theme: 'Beat Plastic Pollution'.
According to Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment Le Huu Toan, a fire prevention and control plan has been in place since the dry season began, including round-the-clock patrols and rapid-response teams to snuff out fires before they could spread.
Renowned artists including Ha Anh Tuan, Den Vau, and Phan Manh Quynh, along with many directors and attendees, took part in planting hundreds of rare tree species such as mun (Diospyros mun) and cho chi (Parashorea chinensis) in the Thung Bong area of the Cuc Phuong National Park, contributing to forest ecosystem restoration.
The dispatch noted that since the beginning of 2025, natural disasters have claimed 29 lives and left several others missing. A total of 67 houses have collapsed, and 2,342 homes have been unroofed or damaged.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) 
Vice General Director of the General Department Pham Van Dien speaks at the event (Photo: VNA) 
