Vietnam, Japan strengthen environmental co-operation

(Bqp.vn) - On its path of economic growth and rapid urbanisation, Vietnam is facing environmental problems including surface water contamination, air pollution, and inefficient waste treatment, particularly in large urban areas.

Professor Yasuaki Maeda (right) and Head of MonRE’s Department of International Co-operation Tran Minh Ha.

With special concern for solutions on environmental pollution, the Government of Vietnam has implemented the Law on Environmental Protection in 1994. Vietnam has also developed proper mechanisms and strengthened measures to protect the environment with support from Japan.

Since 2003, the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) has been supporting Vietnam in environmental protection with the focus on water management.

In particular, since 2010, JICA has implemented a programme to support policy development on climate change in Vietnam. As of December 2013, ten projects in drainage and wastewater treatment, air pollution and waste management have been deployed across the nation.

Since 2004, JICA sent experts in environmental policies and wastewater management to Vietnam. Professor Yasuaki Maeda from Osaka Prefecture University is one of the first experts have been sent to Vietnam.

During four years working in Vietnam, Professor Maeda has made significant contributions to environmental protection, particularly in the 10-Year Vietnam Environmental Action Plan to improve environmental monitoring systems, as well as participating in various activities to raise public awareness on environmental protection in urban areas.

After ending his tenure, Professor Maeda continued to participate in the construction of environmental management systems in Vietnam governmental agencies, especially in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), contributing to the development of human resources in the field.

On October 16, 2013 on the occasion 40th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties, Professor Maeda was honored with Medal for the cause of Vietnam’s natural resources and environment sector by the MoNRE for his great contributions to environmental protection in Vietnam.

He currently leads a team of Japanese experts on a project on multi-beneficial measures for mitigation of climate change in Vietnam and Indochina countries by development of biomass energy, under the framework of the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS), a joint programme developed by JICA and Japan Science and Technology Agency.

Beginning in 2011, the project aims to help Vietnam develop biomass energy production and use systems. Currently, the project runs a pilot on using biodiesel produced by the project for cruise ships in Quang Ninh province.

As recognition for the achievement, on November 22, 2013, Professor Maeda became the second professor to be awarded the title ‘Professor Emeritus’ by Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City. Professor Maeda said “I think what I'm trying to do is to perform a noble mission for co-operative relations between Japan and Vietnam."

Over the last 40 years since the establishment of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations and 21 years since Japan's resumption of ODA provision to Vietnam in 1992, Japan has become the largest donor of development aid for Vietnam. During that period, JICA increased its supports for Vietnam in the field of environmental management.

In addition, Japanese enterprises in Vietnam also proved their support with the introduction and dissemination of Japanese environmental advances to Vietnam. Through JICA’s co-operative programmes, Japanese businesses currently conduct fieldwork activities in Vietnam.

Thanh Phuong (Source: Nhan Dan)