[enviro-vlc] Int’l environmental ministers to meet in Hanoi

[Vern Weitzel]

http://www.vovnews.com.vn/?page=126&nid=77044

Updated, 10/03/2008, 19:00 GMT

Int’l environmental ministers to meet in Hanoi


Sustainable environmental development will be the main topic of discussion at an 
international environmental ministers conference, scheduled to take place in 
Hanoi from October 6-11.

The event, which will see the participation of nearly 200 domestic and foreign 
delegates, includes the first East Asian Environmental Ministers’ Meeting, the 
11th informal ASEAN Environmental Ministers’ Meeting, the ASEAN + 3 
Environmental Ministers’ Meeting, and the East Asian Business Forum on 
Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development.

On this occasion, an awards ceremony will also be held at the Sheraton Hotel in 
Hanoi on October 8 to honour cities that are recognized as ‘ASEAN sustainable 
environment cities’ in 2008. Vietnam’s Ha Long city is among those being awarded 
the honorable title.

At a press conference in Hanoi on October 3, deputy head of the General 
Department for Environment Le Ke Son said that Vietnam’s organization of these 
meetings has demonstrated its active contribution to the international 
integration process. This will help the country strengthen cooperation with 
other countries, particularly in the field of environmental protection for the 
common benefit of ASEAN member countries, as well as others in East Asia and 
around the world.

This is the first time Vietnam has hosted the East Asian Environmental 
Ministers’ Meeting on the initiative of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at the 
East Asia Summit in Singapore in 2007.

As planned, the conference will issue a joint statement on priorities for 
cooperation among East Asian countries on climate change and environmental 
protection. The joint statement will also focus on the exchange of information 
and experience, as well as technical assistance to develop ‘sustainable 
environment cities’ in the region.

In addition, participants will discuss issues relating to conservation, 
bio-diversity, sea and water resources management, the rural environment and the 
dissemination of information to raise public awareness of the importance of 
environmental protection.

Tran Ngoc