10 noteworthy events in the natural resources and environment sector in 2024

This morning, December 21, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment announced 10 noteworthy events in the natural resources and environment sector in 2024.

1. Strengthen the leadership of the Party, mobilize the participation of the entire political system, business community and people to realize the goals of sustainable development and carbon neutrality issued by the Politburo.

Conclusion No. 81-KL/TW dated June 4, 2024 on "Continuing to implement the Resolution of the 11th Central Committee, Session 7, on proactively responding to climate change, strengthening resource management and environmental protection" requires all levels and sectors to identify new development trends; effectively implement orientations, strategies, goals, tasks, breakthrough and comprehensive solutions on management and sustainable development of resources and the environment in the long-term vision, following the investment trend, green transformation, green economic development, low carbon, circular; equitable energy transition, use of clean and renewable energy, towards the goal of sustainable and carbon-neutral development.

The conclusion also requires a harmonious solution between socio-economic development and environmental protection, sustainable use of resources, response to climate change and implementation of the commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, which is a great challenge and also an opportunity for sustainable development of the country in the new era.

2. The 2024 Land Law was passed and took effect 5 months earlier.

The 2024 Land Law is a policy that demonstrates determination and has the stature of a "strategic lever", with many new breakthrough policy contents, contributing to the goal of innovation, perfecting institutions and policies, improving the effectiveness and efficiency of land management and use, creating momentum to turn Vietnam into a high-income developed country.

The law comprehensively covers all aspects of land management; promotes decentralization, delegation of power, administrative procedure reform, and promotes the role, responsibility, and initiative of local authorities at all levels in land management and use.

3. For the first time, geological activities are institutionalized in law; geological and mineral resources are managed according to long-term strategies.

One of the highlights of the 2024 Law on Geology and Minerals, which was recently passed by the National Assembly at its 8th Session, is to put geological activities and minerals under management, within a long-term exploitation and use strategy, harmonizing economic, social and environmental benefits.

The Law has specified the protection of geological resources as an important part of the ecosystem, while emphasizing the role of geological resource exploration and assessment not only for exploitation but also for scientific research, geological heritage conservation and natural disaster prevention; implementing a circular economic model in mineral exploitation and processing activities; enhancing decentralization to local authorities along with resource allocation.

4. Issue the National Marine Spatial Planning, creating momentum for Vietnam to become a strong maritime nation and get rich from the sea.

For the first time, the National Marine Spatial Planning was issued. This is a strategic event, marking an important step forward in the management and development of Vietnam's marine economy, concretizing commitments to protect marine resources and environment, demonstrating Vietnam's long-term vision in building a blue, sustainable and modern marine economy.

5. Vietnam officially has a water source scenario for river basins to manage seasonally, use economically and effectively, and ensure water source security.

The water resource scenario for the Red River - Thai Binh River basin and the Mekong River basin was first developed and announced according to the provisions of the Law on Water Resources 2023, aiming to serve the regulation and distribution of water resources in the river basin; assess the current status of water resources, forecast water demand, and identify hydrometeorological trends.

This is also the basis for entities to plan for appropriate exploitation and use of water resources, and decide to update the Water Source Scenario in case of unusual developments...

In addition, for the first time, the management, exploitation and use of river basin water resources are divided seasonally for each river basin and move towards digital governance and management of national water resources.

6. Geoparks are increasing in number and making an increasingly large contribution to the country's sustainable and green development.

Along with Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark (Ha Giang), Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark and Dak Nong Global Geopark, Lang Son Global Geopark with a total area of ​​over 4,842 km2 becomes the fourth global geopark in Vietnam.

This further demonstrates the unique geological, cultural and ecological values ​​of Vietnam; opens up opportunities to promote local images, attract international tourists and promote cooperation in geological science research and biodiversity conservation; affirms Vietnam's efforts in preserving and promoting geological heritage - a valuable common asset of humanity.

7. Vietnam continues to discover many rare animal species never seen before in the world.

On December 16, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) released its latest report on species surveys in the Greater Mekong Subregion. In Vietnam alone, 112 new and rare species were discovered.

Although only recently discovered by scientists, these creatures have existed for millennia in the region’s unique habitats and are considered “memories of life on our planet.” This is not only good news for researchers, but also a wake-up call for the responsibility to preserve nature in the face of development pressure and climate change.

The discovery of endemic species in the Mekong Delta is a powerful reminder that Vietnam’s nature still holds countless mysteries and unexplored scientific treasures. This is an opportunity for Vietnam to raise its international profile in biodiversity conservation and to fulfill its commitment to sustainable development.

8. Communication of policies and laws on natural resources and environment towards localities and grassroots levels has been promoted, bringing positive results.

In 2024, the propaganda work of the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's laws and policies on natural resources and environment will be promoted; the participation of all levels and sectors from central to local levels has been mobilized in the development, deployment and implementation of legal regulations on land, environment, water resources, minerals, etc., contributing to raising awareness among cadres, party members and people nationwide.

Many online forums and conferences with thousands of connecting points in 63 provinces and centrally-run cities, creating close connections between central state management agencies and local authorities at all levels; are timely "troubleshooting" meetings, helping natural resources and environmental policies come into life.

9. Exploding connection, sharing of resource and environmental data, serving sustainable development and digital transformation of the industry.

2024 will see an explosion of nearly 20.5 million transactions sharing data on resources and environment of more than 500 services; digital transformation, completion of connection, sharing of national land database of 63/63 provincial and municipal units with 461/705 district-level units, 6,198/10,599 commune-level units with the national population database.

For the first time, connecting and sharing land databases with the national population database to provide public services to resolve administrative procedures on residence was implemented in Binh Duong and Dong Nai and continued to expand nationwide; operating the Mekong Delta Regional Data Center integrating 16 specialized data groups on land, geography, planning, clean water and irrigation connected with nearly 2,000 environmental monitoring stations and other technical tools.

10. Despite early, timely forecasts, warnings and proactive responses, storm No. 3 still caused very serious consequences.

Storm No. 3 (international name Yagi) with its strong intensity, rapid, complex, and unusual developments with a series of extreme values ​​has far exceeded all normal forecast scenarios of countries in the region.

Although the authorities had forecasted and warned early and promptly, helping localities and people proactively respond and minimize damage to the maximum extent possible, storm No. 3 had terrible destructive power and still caused very serious consequences.

This is a profound warning about the increasingly extreme developments of climate change, the destructive power of nature and the vital importance of forecasting and warning work in preventing and combating natural disasters and responding to climate change to minimize damage to people and property.