Attending the seminar were Rector Hoang Anh Tuan; Mr. Michael Siegner - Head Representative of the Hanns Seidel Foundation in Vietnam; Prof. Dr. Mai Trong Nhuan - former Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Senior Government Expert, Vice Chairman of the Climate Change Policy Advisory Council, under the National Committee on Climate Change; Mr. Dao Xuan Lai - Head of the Climate Change and Environment Department, United Nations Development Programme in Vietnam, along with experts and scientists from Vietnam and the Federal Republic of Germany.
Rector Hoang Anh Tuan delivered the opening remarks at the seminar, expressing his hope that the National Report would become an annual scientific publication bearing the brand of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
The national report on environmental policy in Vietnam provides an overview of the pressing environmental issues facing Vietnam and specific policies and measures aimed at mitigating, eliminating, or preventing these issues.
In his opening remarks at the seminar, Rector Hoang Anh Tuan stated: "For many years now, the environment has always been one of the most important topics attracting the attention of nations and people around the world. Even in the context where almost all resources and attention are focused on issues related to the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change and other environmental issues remain among humanity's top concerns. Therefore, the publication of the national report on the theme 'Environmental Policy in Vietnam' at one of Vietnam's leading research institutions in the field of social sciences and humanities is of particular significance in terms of science, policy, and practice, especially at the time when the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP21) is taking place."
This publication features contributions from Vietnamese and German scientists.
Rector Hoang Anh Tuan expressed his gratitude for the contributions of the scientists who participated in the National Report and hoped to continue receiving cooperation from scientists to build the National Report into a brand of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, reflecting the position and role of the University as a research university and a policy advisory body.
Dr. Detlef Briesen - Justus Liebig Giessen University, co-editor of the Report
Presenting the main research findings in the report “Environmental Policy in Vietnam,” Dr. Detlef Briesen of Justus Liebig Giessen University, co-editor of the report, stated: The Earth and the entire biosphere are facing major threats posed by climate change. As a tropical country with a long coastline, Vietnam is one of the most severely affected nations. In addition to global environmental issues, Vietnam also faces significant domestic environmental challenges. The development of cities, the economy, transportation systems, and the rapid growth of industrial and agricultural production have led to air, water, and soil pollution and serious damage to the country's flora and fauna.
Vietnam passed its first Environmental Protection Law in 1993. After two amendments, the adoption of the new Environmental Protection Law in 2020 represents the most significant innovation in the national environmental policy system. Effective from January 2022, the new Environmental Protection Law will create a solid legal framework for policy tools including environmental permits, circular economy, expanded producer responsibility, and many other policy instruments.
Mr. Michael Siegner, Chief Representative of the Hanns Seidel Foundation in Vietnam
Mr. Michael Siegner, Head Representative of the Hanns Seidel Foundation in Vietnam, stated: "To improve the effectiveness of environmental policies, the Report makes several recommendations: simplifying administrative procedures, strengthening coordination between environmental policies and other state policies, more tightly controlling production chains, increasing financial resources, proactively adapting to climate change and combating the invasion of alien species, planning a transportation system that meets the needs of the people, improving the quality of public passenger transport, and implementing campaigns to raise awareness among the people and the government."
According to Professor Pham Quang Minh, former Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and co-editor of the report, "environmental protection is now just as important and difficult as defending the homeland against enemy attacks, and sometimes one of those enemies is ourselves."
Mr. Dao Xuan Lai - Head of Climate Change and Environment, United Nations Development Programme in Vietnam
During the seminar, experts received many direct questions from readers via the live stream on the University of Social Sciences and Humanities' fanpage, expressing their interest in environmental issues in Vietnam and the research results published in the report. The discussions revolved around the following topics: What role do young people play in environmental policy planning? What is the role of education in raising public awareness of environmental protection? How can we promote people's environmental protection initiatives in their daily lives? What can developed countries do to help developing countries accelerate their commitment to zero emissions? What are the solutions to minimize the role of fossil fuels to move towards a "greener and more environmentally friendly" future? How can we control the environmental pollution treatment technologies of foreign companies in Vietnam? What are the significant changes in Vietnam's environmental laws? What is the preferred solution to address the urban heat island effect?
Professor Mai Trong Nhuan - former Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Senior Government Expert, Vice Chairman of the Climate Change Policy Advisory Council
With the aim of creating a high-quality and reliable source of information for a diverse audience, including politicians, policy practitioners, representatives of research institutions, the business community, and the general public, in 2020, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - VNU Hanoi, and Justus Liebig Giessen University, Germany, with funding from the Hanns Seidel Foundation, launched the annual National Report on Vietnam. These publications offer in-depth insights and up-to-date information on issues of significant interest in modern Vietnamese society.
The first publication, titled “Vietnam: An Aging Society,” was published in January 2021. The report, “Environmental Policy in Vietnam,” is the second in the series of publications by the Project. This publication features contributions from leading scientists in the field from prestigious institutions both domestically and internationally: Hamburg University, Germany; Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment; Hanoi University of Mining and Geology; Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics; Mekong Development Research Institute; and units within the university such as the Faculty of Sociology, the Institute of Journalism Training, the Faculty of Archival Studies and Office Management, and the Faculty of International Studies. The third publication – “Vietnam: A Digital Society” – is scheduled to be released in January 2022.
