Wood made the request at a working session with Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha in Hanoi on Wednesday.  He said the program for Vietnam was developed under a protocol signed between WEF and the ministry in January. The pact focuses on supporting Vietnam in joining the Global Plastics Action Partnership (GPAP) and developing circular economy, particularly contents related to Vietnam’s initiatives and activities when taking the role of ASEAN Chair in 2020.  The GPAP is an initiative of WEF on collaborating with government and stakeholders in coastal economies battling plastic waste to translate their commitments into action by fast-tracking circular economy solutions.

Minister Ha said the ministry has assigned the Vietnam Environment Administration, which oversees solid waste management, to study WEF’s proposal for further discussion and collaboration. He also noted that the ministry has tasked the Vietnam Administration of Sea and Islands with working with WEF in building specific initiatives and actions related to tackling ocean plastic waste for Vietnam.