Blue ocean scenarios

The International Conference on Sustainable Ocean Economy and Climate Change Adaptation, which took place on May 12 and 13, was organized by the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Sessions focused on five main topics: Reviving the blue ocean economy after COVID-19; building coastal cities with infrastructures adapted to the effects of climate change; combatting marine pollution and ocean plastic waste; promoting climate security, gender equality and resilience of vulnerable communities; and financing responses to climate and ocean needs.

A report entitled “Blue Economy Scenarios for Vietnam”, presented at the conference, analyzed a number of scenarios, including a basic scenario and a “sustainable development” or “blue” scenario. The blue scenario would yield outstanding benefits in terms of GDP contribution, Gross National Income (GNI) of marine economic sectors and per capita income for marine workers.

The study shows that under the blue scenario, Vietnam’s GDP will be higher than the base scenario VND296 trillion (US$12.9 billion) and VND538 trillion (US$23.5 billion) by 2025 and 2030, respectively.

According to UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner, the report set out seven lessons for building a resilient ocean economy, which will be applied to help Vietnam respond to global challenges and achieve a clean blue sea and a sustainable marine economy. Vietnam’s coastline measures over 3,000 kilometers.

Strong commitment needed

Addressing the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh urged countries to take drastic and effective measures for the sustainable development of the ocean economy, not only to ensure the survival of their population but also of the marine ecosystem and of nature, which holds the key to human prosperity.

In addition, countries should establish a global system to monitor and share data on ocean plastic waste; overcome challenges in their efforts to tackle ocean plastic pollution on a global scale; and sustainably manage resources and activities at sea such as aquaculture, fishing, shipping, marine and coastal tourism, and energy development in oceans, he said.

Developed countries should be responsible for providing financial support, sharing management experience and transferring technologies, while developing nations must master the science and technology of the blue economy in order to solve global sea and ocean issues together.

The UNDP told delegates it was committed to supporting Vietnam, in particular, strengthening connectivity, and strongly promoting cooperation between countries and regions.

Themed “Solutions for a climate resilient Blue Economy”, the two-day conference drew over 400 delegates from 70 countries, including leaders, experts and scientists.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Minh Ngan:

Vietnam is ready to cooperate with other countries and partners to share scientific knowledge, experience,

resources and overall management initiatives for a sustainable ocean economy and climate change

adaptation.

Thanh Tam