Restructuring and completing economic institutions for green growth is the major component of the national green growth strategy announced by the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) on October 29.
The strategy, which was approved by the Prime Minister on September 25, encourages economic sectors to promote energy efficiency and use natural resources with high added value.
It promotes the application of advanced technologies to boost the effective use of natural resources, reduce the green house gas emissions and adapt to global climate change.
The strategy also emphasizes the need to improve standards of living and develop an environmentally-friendly lifestyle by generating more jobs in the agricultural and green service sectors.
MPI Deputy Minister
Nguyen The Phuong suggested that Vietnam should develop a green economy as a
crucial factor in realizing the country’s sustainable development plan. It is essential
to boost energy conservation and organic food production, utilize renewable
energy, and change consumer habits towards using environmentally friendly
products, he said.
The Country Director of the World Bank (WB) in Vietnam, Victoria Kwakwa, spoke highly of Vietnam’s strategy, saying it shows the country’s determination to apply modern green technologies.
Effectively managing the use of natural resources will bring back many traditional values for younger generations. The approval of the strategy lays a firm foundation for sustainable economic growth in Vietnam, she noted.
She suggested reforming policies to facilitate the national strategy’s implementation.
Kwakwa also called on the private sector to become involved in Vietnam’s strategy implementation process, and pledged further WB support for green development projects.
The UN Resident Coordinator for Vietnam, Pratibha Mehta, said Vietnam is one of the pioneers in implementing a green growth strategy in line with the global strategy on climate change adaptation until 2020.
The newly-approved strategy indicates the Vietnamese Government’s efforts to cope with climate change, and also creates an opportunity for the country to sharpen its competitiveness, she added.
VOV
