(VOVworld) - Activities to mark World Environment Day themed “Think, Eat, Save, Reduce your foodprint” are underway across the country. In the central city of Hue, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment held a meeting to mark the event. In his address, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan said:“In Vietnam, we are facing several challenges. Environmental pollution is caused by people. More than 60% of waste in rural areas and 15% of waste in urban areas are untreated. More than 60% of 1 million cubic meters of waste water from industrial parks is untreated. It is very important to overcome this problem so that future generations will live in a healthier environment”.

On this occasion, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment presented certificates of merit to 32 collectives and 18 individuals for their outstanding contributions to environmental protection. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan planted a tree in Quang Trung Emperor’s Memorial Monument in Hue.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan addressed the meeting- Photo:tinmoitruong.vn

In Bai Chay tourist area, more than 700 young people and workers distributed environmentally friendly plastic bags and leaflets in fishing villages, markets and trade centers. They cleaned the beach, residential areas and called on the community to transform Ha Long into a clean and green city. Hoang Danh Son, Deputy Director of Quang Ninh province’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment, says:“In addition to organizing meetings at localities, we organized a training workshop to implement the Government’s decision on coping with industrial oil spills which generate environmental pollution, especially along coastal areas”.

In Hai Phong city, the Vietnam’s Fatherland Front and the city’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment organized activities to call on the community to join efforts in coping with climate change and protecting the environment. Nghe An province hung nearly 500 banners to raise public’s awareness. Nguyen Thi Tien, Deputy Director of Nghe An province’s Sub Department of Environmental Protection, says: “In response to World Environment Day, we produced recordings advocating the importance of environmental protection and broadcast them in all towns and communes. We mobilized local people to participate in the clean up”.