The East Asia seas have played an important role in Vietnamese culture for many generations as well as in security, defense and socio-economic development, said Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai at the opening ceremony of the 5th East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress in Da Nang on November 16.
 |
| Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai (middle) at the opening ceremony of the 5th East Asian Seas Congress in Da Nang __Photo: Nguyen Linh/VGP |
He said East Asia nations, with the support from the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), have implemented sustainable development strategies to better manage the seas, coastlines and islands.
“Vietnam has made achievements in reducing marine pollution and degradation of wetland forests, and reviving biodiversity and aquatic resources, coral reefs and important ecosystems in recent years,” Hai said.
Meanwhile, Mary Seet-Cheing, Ambassador and Chair of the EAS Partnership Council, said the Congress would set up a foundation for updating regional goals in line with the global discussion on post-2015 sustainable development targets.
The Congress would address policies and commitments to approve an updated sustainable development strategy for the seas of East Asia and set a post-2015 target for the PEMSEA, Mary added.
Entitled “Global targets, local benefits - Setting the sustainable development agenda for the seas of East Asia beyond 2015,” the event is scheduled to last through November 21.- (VNS/VLLF)
