Environmental protection is actually the core of sustainable development in Viet Nam and all over the world.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung made the statement at the official opening ceremony of the 13th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Environment (AMME) that opened yesterday in Ha Noi.
However, developing the economy while ensuring environmental protection was a hard task for every country, he said.
Viet Nam would continue to focus on environmental protection while pursuing green growth under the national socio-economic development plan for 2016-20, Dung said.
The AMME, organised every three years, offers chances for participants to discuss co-operative strategies and policies among members of ASEAN. The 13th AMME is scheduled to close today.
The meetings are being attended by environmental ministers from ASEAN members as well as China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, along with the ASEAN Secretariat and representatives of ASEAN's partner organisations.
Dung said that he hoped the 13th AMME would map out detailed plans to protect the environment and cope with climate change.
"Viet Nam is always ready to join hands with ASEAN members, partners and the global community to keep the environment green," he said.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Minh Quang said that ASEAN members had worked together to fight climate change and other common environmental issues such as controlling trans-boundary haze pollution and water resource management.
However, Quang called for more prompt actions and technical assistance to combat common environmental issues.
ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh said the region was suffering from the impacts of climate change, such as declining natural resources and rising sea levels, so strong co-ordination among members and stakeholders was essential.
ASEAN needed to work in unity towards achieving the global Sustainable Development Goals, Minh said.
Viet Nam's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment hosted the event, and the first ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Environment took place in the Philippines in 1981.
