As part of the cooperation activities with ASEAN on environment in 2023, the 8th ASEAN Working Group on Chemicals and Waste (AWGCW-8) will be held in Hanoi on July 5-7, 2023 with the theme “for a greener ASEAN”.

The conference was organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (the focal point of the Association of Senior ASEAN Environmental Officials of Vietnam – ASOEN Vietnam) in cooperation with the ASEAN Secretariat to re-evaluate the cooperation activities between the two countries. ASEAN member countries discuss cooperation activities in chemical and waste fields over the past year and unify principles of cooperation between countries in the coming period.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Vo Tuan Nhan said the conference was held in the context of chemical and waste pollution, which has become one of the environmental challenges affecting human health and behavior of the planet, including the ASEAN region.

Vietnam would like to work with the international community and strengthen cooperation in preventing illegal cross-border transport of chemicals and hazardous waste in line with international frameworks.

Vietnam will continue to implement environmentally friendly management of hazardous chemicals and waste throughout the life cycle and reduce waste according to circular economy principles and in compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks. existing national books. Further improve the legal framework for the management of POPs and waste by incorporating the provisions of the Conventions into Vietnam’s legal documents.

At the same time, promote the effective implementation of the environmental protection regulations in the management of chemicals and waste codified in the Environmental Protection Act 2020 and the Chemicals Act 2007 (under government revision). Amending, preparing for submission to the National Assembly) and current legal documents.

Vietnam also continues to work closely with ASEAN member and non-ASEAN countries and international partners. This will achieve environmentally friendly management of hazardous chemicals and waste and more effectively combat illegal transport of chemicals and hazardous waste into the region…

According to Achmad Gunawan Widjacsono, director of the Department of Waste and Hazardous Substances Management at the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forests, chemicals and waste, including plastic waste, have become one of the world’s most pressing environmental problems. The World Bank estimates that plastic makes up 80% of all marine debris in the oceans. In 6 out of 10 ASEAN member states alone, more than 31 million tons of plastic waste are generated every year.

Rapid economic development, urbanization and population growth are leading to an increase in plastic consumption and production, leading to an increase in plastic waste generation with low recycling rates. In addition, the import of plastic waste is increasing.

Mr. Achmad Gunawan Widjacsono stressed that improper disposal of these wastes after use has significant negative impacts on the environment and human health. Land-based plastic waste also ends up in the oceans, leading to pollution and destruction of coastal and marine ecosystems. This situation is exacerbated by the illegal cross-border movement of plastic waste contaminated with hazardous waste.

Therefore, the conference will promote ASEAN cooperation to solve these challenges as soon as possible in the near future.

And Mr. Le Ngoc Tuan, director of the Department of International Cooperation (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment), head of the office of ASOEN Vietnam, shared that the environment related to chemicals and waste is a “hot” issue for companies. ASEAN countries, as well as in the world. Therefore, cooperation between ASEAN countries as well as with development partners in dealing with chemical and waste pollution is very important. Dealing with chemical and plastic pollution is not just a country, but it is necessary to work with the region to solve the problem and create a greener ASEAN community. Through the conferences, cooperation activities are promoted, concrete projects are implemented and chemical pollution and waste problems are solved.

Outcomes of the AWGCW-8 include the ASEAN countries-approved report of the 8th Meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Chemicals and Waste; The draft ASEAN Joint Declaration, sent to the Conference of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, will be submitted to the meeting of ASEAN Senior Environmental Officials (ASOEN) next August in Indonesia for consideration. According to ASEAN regulations. The outcome of the conference will also contribute to building a greener and more sustainable ASEAN region.

Regarding the content of ASEAN cooperation on chemicals and waste with dialogue/development partners and other specialized agencies, delegates shared cooperation activities under the Montreal Protocol on Ozone Depleting Substances; Reducing marine litter in the ASEAN region through the development of national action plans and an integrated land-to-sea policy approach; Establishment of a regional knowledge center on the subject of marine plastic waste.

Representatives of international organizations also presented the Southeast Asia Marine Plastic Waste Program; Reduce, Reuse, Recycle program to protect the environment and coral reefs; ASEAN Green Group Initiative and Proposed Capacity Building for Sustainable Plastic Waste Management…