On May 12, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province and the Delegation of the European Union (EU) in Hanoi, with the support of Sun Group, organized the Vietnam-EU Day event in Ha Long city with the theme: "Vietnam-EU: Joining hands for a clean environment."

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang emphasized that the work of protecting the marine environment is actually facing many challenges such as the risk of pollution, littering and untreated wastewater, and low public awareness of preserving and protecting the marine environment.

To address these challenges, along with the efforts of the entire political system, ministries, sectors and localities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has proactively promoted cooperation with countries and international organizations on environmental protection and climate change response.

The EU and its member countries have made important contributions to environmental protection and responding to global climate change. In recent times, the EU and its member countries have actively supported Vietnam in this field through development cooperation projects on climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation, forest protection, and waste treatment.

Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang said that the Vietnam-EU Day event in Ha Long is an initiative initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to contribute to raising awareness of the business community and people about responsible behavior towards the environment, natural ecosystems in general and the marine environment in particular, contributing to preventing pollution and degradation of the marine environment, while promoting mutual understanding and cooperation between Quang Ninh province and the EU Delegation, EU embassies in Hanoi, actively contributing to the well-developed comprehensive partnership and cooperation relationship between Vietnam and the EU.

The event will also contribute to strongly spreading the message "Join hands to preserve and protect a green, clean and beautiful environment for future generations."

Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang highly appreciated the EU and its member countries for actively supporting Vietnam in this field through development cooperation projects on climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation, forest protection, waste treatment, etc.

In the coming time, Vietnam hopes to continue receiving effective cooperation and support from the EU and its member countries in raising awareness and capacity to respond to climate change, protect the environment, and restore land, forest and ocean ecosystems.

Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Ninh Province Cao Tuong Huy evaluated the Vietnam-EU Day event held in Ha Long City; emphasizing that the province has determined the goal of becoming a typical example of the whole country in successfully implementing the sustainable development goals according to the United Nations 2030 Agenda on environmental criteria and climate change response and the National Green Growth Strategy; one of the province's priority directions is to strengthen international cooperation and integration in this field, especially with EU partners.

Quang Ninh province hopes to continue receiving support and assistance from the EU and its member countries to achieve its environmental, climate and sustainable development goals.

Ambassador, Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam Julien Guerrier emphasized the importance of the event in Vietnam's overall efforts towards greener and more sustainable development.

The Ambassador highly appreciated Vietnam's commitments towards building a green, circular economy with the lofty goal of achieving zero net emissions by 2050; affirmed that the EU will always accompany and support Vietnam in implementing initiatives to respond to climate change and protect the environment, towards completing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

After the opening ceremony, nearly 200 delegates participated in activities to collect trash along Bai Chay beach and Ha Long Bay.

The event attracted the response of many people and tourists in Ha Long city./.