The fourth marine dialogue on international cooperation towards combating plastic pollution in the East Sea (South China Sea) took place in Hanoi on January 16.

The event was jointly held by the Diplomacy Academy of Vietnam, the Australian Embassy, and the German-based Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Foundation.

The dialogue is an opportunity for experts to share in-depth analysis on plastic waste pollution in the world's oceans, especially in the East Sea, to which Vietnam refers as the the East Sea, negative impacts on regional development and security at different levels and national marine environmental policies to enhance cooperation towards addressing this transnational issue.

Addressing the dialogue, the Australian Embassy’s representative in Vietnam Stacey Nation said that plastic waste is heavily affecting life on the sea, ecosystems and human health and the Australian government is committed to supporting partners to raise awareness and capacity to encounter this threat.

KAS’s representative in Vietnam Peter Girke pointed out that disposable plastic utensils such as straws, plates, knives or swabs account for 70% of marine waste. Changes in the plastic consumption habit can reduce plastic waste.

Le Hai Binh, deputy director of the Diplomatic Academy, said that the East Sea is one of the most polluted areas of plastic waste in the world.

Since 2018, the Vietnamese government has launched a campaign to cope with plastic waste disposal and will continue to aim for this goal in the coming years, which is in line with the Joint Statement of the East Asia’s Senior Leaders on cooperation to reduce plastic waste (approved on November 11, 2018).

According to a United Nations report, the amount of plastic waste discharged every year is enough to circle the earth four times. One thousand plastic bags are consumed every minute, but only 27% of them are recycled. A large amount of plastic waste lies on the ocean floor and becomes food poisoning marine life. 

Scientists showed that the amount of plastic waste by 2050 in the ocean will be heavier than the weight of fishes. Vietnam is ranked 17th out of 109 countries most polluted by plastic waste.

Hanoitimes/VNA