Nation calls for comprehensive approach to waste management

VOV.VN - Minister Counselor Le Thi Minh Thoa, deputy permanent representative of Vietnam to the UN, has called for a comprehensive approach that involves all aspects of society to sustainable waste management.

As part of her speech on March 30 at the UN General Assembly’s session on zero waste and breakthrough solutions to sustainable development goals (SDGs), Minister Thoa said sustainable waste management plays a crucial role in achieving the SDGs, especially Goal No.12 on sustainable production and consumption and Goal No.13 on climate change response.

Fully aware that zero waste represents a solution to climate change, the nation previously adopted a national action plan on the circular economy, with the ultimate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 15% of the total national income and reusing and recycling.

This involves treating 85% of the plastic waste, as well as reducing plastic waste in the ocean by half. The nation also built a national action programme on ocean plastic waste management with a target of reducing 75% of the plastic waste by 2030, she said.

According to the Minister, both international and regional co-operation is extremely significant, especially in terms of financial support and technological transfer, as a means of ensuring sustainable production and consumption, as well as both effective and eco-friendly waste management.

She requested that the international community consider establishing a legal framework for waste management and treatment as it strives to achieve the zero waste goal.

According to the UN, "zero waste" is an approach that promotes sustainable production and consumption, waste treatment in a closed-loop system, maximising the reuse of resources and mitigating air, land, and water pollution. In November, 2022, Turkey introduced an initiative to designate March 30 as the International Day of Zero Waste and to encourage the UN General Assembly to discuss this issue further.

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