Deputy PM Nguyen Thien Nhan made the statement in Hanoi on March 18. More at the opening of the Fourth Asia Regional 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Forum, attracting over 200 delegates from 31 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

The three-day event is jointly held by the Viet Nam Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), the Ministry of the Environment of Japan (MOEJ), and the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD).

In his speech, Vietnamese Deputy PM Nguyen Thien Nhan underscored the significance of the forum on waste reducing, reusing and recycling (3R) to protect the environment. The fourth Regional 3R Forum in Asia is a new opportunity for Viet Nam to learn from 30 Asian-Pacific nations’ experience in waste management, Nhan said.

It is a chance for Viet Nam to bolster co-operation with the United Nations Center for Regional Development (UNCRD), the Japanese Ministry of Environment and participating nations in environmental protection, efficient use of energy and resources, and coping with climate change, he emphasized.

Nhan expressed his hope that the event will accelerate policy dialogue among relevant agencies to solve the issue of 3R and solid waste management, and sustainable production and consumption.

MONRE Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Quang said that over the past four years, as many as 127 parties have signed an agreement to reduce plastic bag waste. As a result, 7,100 tons of plastic bags have not been used, helping save around US$15 million.

In Viet Nam, he said, the Prime Minister has approved a national target program on solid waste management until 2025, with a vision to 2050, aimed at treating 90-100% of solid waste in both urban and rural areas.

Under the overall theme of "3Rs in the Context of Rio+20 Outcome - The Future We Want", the Fourth Regional 3R Forum in Asia will address the 3Rs and measures for using resources efficiently towards a zero waste society.

The forum will focus on 3Rs and measures to effectively use resources, consider new emerging issues and 3R infrastructure.

The participating nations are expected to adopt the Hanoi 3R Declaration – Sustainable 3R goals for Asia for the 2013-2023 period.

Hanoitimes