Sustainable development of Vietnam’s marine economy in the context of Covid-19 and climate change

On November 26, in Ha noi, Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) held a hybrid seminar on Sustainable development of Vietnam’s marine economy in the context of Covid-19 and climate change.

Assoc. prof. dr. Pham Quang Thao, Vice President of Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations

Speaking at the opening of the seminar, Assoc. prof. dr. Pham Quang Thao, Vice President of VUSTA said that Vietnam and the world are facing growing impact of Covid-19 pandemic and climate change in general, the implementation of economic development strategies as well as marine economic sectors also affected in particular. This is annual event hosted by VUSTA since 2019 (after the Resolution 36 issued). This year seminar is organized on the purpose of creating a forum for member organizations at the central and local levels of VUSTA, scientists to exchange ideas on issues and solutions for sustainable development of marine economy in the context of climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic, contributing to the implementation of Resolution 36-NQ/TW on the Strategy for sustainable development of Vietnam's marine economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045.

One of the keynote speaker of the seminar mentioned on looking back on 3 years of implementing the Strategy for Sustainable Development of Vietnam's marine economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Chu Hoi - Member of the 15th National Assembly, Standing Vice Chairman of Fisheries Association Vietnam; member of the Steering Committee of the Global Ocean Forum (GOF) – he affirmed that the achievements have made an important contribution to the national economic development, socio-political stability; firmly protect our country's maritime rights and interests, independence and sovereignty. Accordingly, the economic scale of the sea and coastal areas increased; industry structure initially shifting from "brown" to "green" marine economy, along with the preparation and promotion of a number of new and promising economic sectors and industries. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the sea and coastal areas still make great contributions to exports, foreign currency revenue, and the most important is the supply chains are maintained. The marine economy plays an important role in the national economy. This perspective has been stated in many documents of State and Party.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Chu Hoi - Member of the 15th National Assembly, Standing Vice Chairman of Vietnam Fisheries Association, member of the Steering Committee of the Global Ocean Forum

To continue the sustainable economic development in the next stage, Assoc. Prof, Dr. Nguyen Chu Hoi proposed, it is necessary to booster the blue ocean economy which is in line with the trend in the globe. It is also critical to take measures and solutions to respond to climate change, sea level rise and oceanic changes. Besides, promoting and creating favourable conditions for the development of renewable energy; sustainable development of the marine economy based on science and community; flexible and safe adaptation to the Covid-19 pandemic. It requires mechanisms and policies to encourage the development of a circular economy for plastic waste, gradually turning plastic waste into a resource; enhancing the transfer and application of new, low-emission technologies.

Dr. Sc Nghiem Vu Khai – Vice President of VUSTA 2015-2020 tenure

According to Dr. Sc. Nghiem Vu Khai - Vice President of Vusta 2015-2020 tenure, when the Covid-19 pandemic occurred, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) forecasted that the global added value of the marine economy would double in the period 2020 - 2030, create 40 million jobs. This raises issues of the ocean's capacity to respond. Marine ecosystems are at the heart of many of the world's global challenges. The management of diverse marine economic activities and the exploitation of marine resources require prudent ocean-related knowledge development and the preventive measures to conserve fragile marine ecosystems. Of which, science and innovation play a central role in transition from massive exploitation to more sustainable practices.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Dung – the Presient of the Vietnam Seaculture Associations

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Dung - the Presient of the Vietnam Seaculture Associations asserted that the policy of sustainable marine aquaculture development needs to assign long-term use rights to investors; support policy for sustainable marine farming businesses; policy on investment in essential infrastructure for marine aquaculture; policy on development of supporting industries, logistics; policy on training for marine fishermen; policy on industrial marine aquaculture insurance; policy on monitoring, warning and management of marine environment; unified state management of marine aquaculture.

Experts and scientists gave opinions at the seminar

At the seminar, leading scientists and experts related to sustainable development of the marine economy in Vietnam focused to discuss topics such as: looking back on 3 years of implementing the sustainable development strategy Vietnam’ marine economy to 2030, vision to 2045; building the internal resources of Vietnam's marine science and technology and the problems posed in the current context; offshore wind power development, supply chain and seaport in Vietnam: potentials, opportunities, challenges and solutions; development of marine fisheries in Vietnam in integration of marine spatial planning.

Experts and scientists gave opinions at the seminar

At the workshop, many delegates gave specific comments for VUSTA to gather and propose to the competent authorities, to make practical contributions to the continued implementation and realization of the marine development strategy which was set out in Resolution 36-NQ/TW. At the same time, it offers new opportunities for cooperation inside and outside the VUSTA system in the future.