Young people of Nha Trang city visit the photo exhibition at the launching ceremony. Photo: Khuong Trung/dangcongsan.vn

This year’s World Environment Day is themed “Land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience,” as over 40% of the Earth’s land surface already degraded, affecting half of the world's population and threatening about half of global GDP.

Addressing at the launch ceremony, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh said Vietnam has suffered from drought and saltwater intrusion. Vietnam currently has over 11.8 million hectares, accounting for 35.74% of the total natural land area affected by degradation, fallowing, and the risk of desertification. The situation is getting worse and will have a major impact on agriculture, he said.

Minister Khanh called on everybody to take practical action to solve the problem of drought, desertification and environmental degradation. He urged increased carbon reserves through conservation and sustainable management of forest resources. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has chosen the theme of this year's Vietnam Sea and Islands Week as sustainable management and use of marine space. 

“Every person, business, and organization in society will be an active nucleus, playing an important role in the recovery process from drought and desertification, resource management, environmental protection, and climate change response. It’s necessary to leverage the potentials and advantages of regions and localities to jointly develop the economy towards sustainability, steering Vietnam to a sustainable future in harmony with nature,” said Minister Dang Quoc Khanh.