Latest news with #VietnameseGovernment
The Star
02-08-2025
- General
- The Star
Petition submitted to set up conservation area for rare langur species in Ninh Bình
NINH BINH: Environmental and nature conservation organisations have urgently recommended establishing and protecting a Delacour's langur species and habitat conservation area in Kim Bang in order to restore the environment and ensure ecological connectivity following limestone mining activities. The joint petition, initiated by the Centre for People and Nature, the Centre for Nature Conservation and Development, the Centre for Highlands Resource Governance Research, GreenViet Biodiversity Conservation Centre and WildAct Vietnam, was submitted to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Chairman of the People's Committee of Ninh Binh Province on Aug 1. This action follows a series of articles by VietnamPlus titled 'Building Conservation Space: A Vital Mission for the Future', published late July. According to the petition, the Delacour's langur is one of Vietnam's rarest endemic primates, listed as Critically Endangered in the 2023 Vietnam Red Data Book and the IUCN Red List. It is also protected under the Vietnamese Government's Decree 06/2019/ND-CP and Decree 84/2022/ND-CP. The limestone forest of Kim Bang (formerly in Ha Nam Province, now merged into Ninh Bình) is home to the second-largest population of Delacour's langurs worldwide, after the population in Van Long Nature Reserve. The area hosts around 120–150 individuals. Beyond the langurs, Kim Bang's limestone forest holds exceptional biodiversity value, with species representing the Red River Delta limestone forest ecosystem These include rare species such as the pygmy slow loris, serow, Huong Son bent-toed gecko, slipper orchids and golden camellias. The area also forms a continuous ecological corridor linking Van Long, Dong Tam, Huong Son, and Tam Chuc, making it a critical conservation landscape connecting Ninh Binh, Phu Tho, and Hanoi. Since 2016, conservation organisations and Government agencies have proposed establishing a species and habitat conservation area in Kim Bang for the Delacour's langur. The Ha Nam Provincial People's Committee conducted surveys, prepared documentation and reached consensus among departments for a plan to set up this area. By 2023, the plan to preserve a core zone of 3,182ha was completed and incorporated into the National Forestry Planning Scheme. Yet to be officially designated a conservation site, the area is currently under the limited management of the Kim Bang–Thanh Liem Forest Protection Unit, which has only four rangers. Despite the urgency, issues with illegal hunting, trapping and timber extraction persist, threatening both langurs and overall biodiversity. Additionally, habitats are shrinking due to mining activities, noise and dust pollution, affecting both wildlife and local communities. The petition calls for strict environmental screening of new projects like golf courses, eco-tourism zones and road construction that risk encroaching on the conservation area. Environmental impact assessments must be reviewed by both Government agencies and conservation experts before project approval. The economic development of Ninh Binh must be coupled with environmental protection, as disruption of natural ecosystems leads to biodiversity decline. The organisations emphasised their readiness to support Ninh Binh with resources, expertise and international cooperation to strengthen local conservation efforts. Establishing and effectively managing the Kim Bang Delacour's Langur Conservation Area is not only an urgent measure to protect one of Vietnam's most endangered primates, but also a testament to Vietnam's commitment to biodiversity, climate targets and its Net Zero pledge. 'We respectfully urge the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Ninh Bình People's Committee to review, consider and act on these urgent recommendations,' the petition concluded. — Vietnam News/ANN
Malay Mail
01-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Vietnam launches sweeping anti-corruption push, tightens grip on public funds
HANOI, July 1 — The Vietnamese government has unveiled an action plan to overhaul oversight of public finances and assets, endorsing a Politburo's regulation to curb corruption and bolster accountability, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported a resolution issued this week. The plan, designed to align with the party's directives, aims to embed rigorous controls over power and prevent abuse in managing state resources. A core goal is to ensure that leaders, including heads of agencies and decision-making officials, are held to higher standards of accountability. The plan highlights transparent leadership and robust management to protect the integrity of public financial systems. The resolution mandates intensified scrutiny of ministries, agencies, and local authorities, with a focus on how they wield authority over public funds and property. Senior leaders are expected to lead by example, embracing transparency, public accountability, and a culture of self-criticism in their organisations. To enforce compliance, the government will ramp up inspections, audits, and sector-specific reviews to detect and deter misconduct while ensuring adherence to party guidelines and state laws. According to VNA, the plan also calls for a restructuring of the public workforce, prioritising the recruitment and training of officials who demonstrate not only professional competence but also integrity and dedication to public service. To mitigate corruption risks, regular job rotations and position changes are mandated for officials involved in advising, allocating and managing public finances, aiming to prevent entrenched power and foster professional growth. Moreover, the plan advocates for protecting whistleblowers while cracking down on malicious or defamatory complaints, ensuring that anti-corruption efforts remain fair and effective. — Bernama-VNA
Arab News
24-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Vietnam aims to sign nuclear power plant deal with Russia in August
HANOI: Vietnam's government said on Tuesday it aims to sign an agreement with its Russian counterpart in August to build the Southeast Asian country's first nuclear power plant. Site clearance for development of the plant in Ninh Thuan province is to be completed by the end of this year, the government said in a statement. The move follows Vietnam's restart of plans to develop nuclear power plants that were suspended nearly a decade ago, as part of its efforts to ramp up its power generation capacity to support its fast-growing economy. The government has previously said it expected the first nuclear power plants with a combined capacity of up to 6.4 gigawatts to be online between 2030 and 2035. The government said on Tuesday it has told the finance ministry, central bank, state energy firm Petrovietnam and utility firm EVN to work with related parties on loans for the project.
CNA
14-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
Vietnam admitted as BRICS 'partner country', Brazil says
SAO PAULO: Vietnam has been formally admitted as a "partner country" of the BRICS group of major emerging economies, Brazil's government said on Friday (Jun 13), as the bloc presses ahead with an expansion push. Vietnam is the tenth nation to receive this status, which allows invited countries to participate in BRICS summits and other discussion sessions. Vietnam had expressed earlier this year it was ready to discuss a partnership with BRICS, whose original members were Brazil, Russia, India and China. "The government of Brazil welcomes the decision of the Vietnamese government," said the South American country, which holds the bloc's presidency in 2025. "Vietnam stands out as a relevant actor in Asia. Its efforts in favor of South-South cooperation and sustainable development reinforce its convergence with the interests of the group," it added. Founded in 2009 and soon expanded to add South Africa, the group has recently also included Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, making it a growing diplomatic counterweight to traditional Western powers.
Malay Mail
01-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Strengthening Vietnam-US business partnership in the agricultural sector: Towards sustainable development and trade balance
WASHINGTON D.C, USA - Media OutReach Newswire - 1 June 2025 - Vietnam's Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy plans to lead a delegation with nearly 50 agencies, agribusinesses and associations to explore opportunities to promote trade and import agrifood and timber from the United States during June 1-7, 2025. The delegation expects to participate in business dialogues in Iowa, Ohio, and Washington D.C. Vietnamese agribusinesses are ready to seek U.S. partners to purchase US commodities such as animal feed, fertilizers, biopesticides, meat products, frozen marine seafood, and raw visit aims to boost bilateral trade and create new opportunities for Vietnam to import more agrifood and timber from the U.S., helping to balance trade between the two countries. Besides trade, the Vietnamese delegation expects to access to new technologies, hence improving the competitiveness of their own value to Minister Do Duc Duy, both Vietnam and the U.S. have strong agricultural sectors, but their strengths complement rather than compete with each other. "With active support of both Vietnam and US government, Vietnam's and US's agriculture have been increasingly connected. Even we're now sharing the same supply chains, boosting our competitiveness, thereby supporting both producers and consumers in each country". The Minister emphasized, "Vietnamese agribusinesses have cooperated strongly with the Government to increase the purchase of agrifood and timber products from the U.S. This effort helps balance bilateral trade and strengthens the agricultural supply chain between the two countries, hence contributing to global food security."Earlier, in September 2024, the largest U.S. agribusiness delegation in history visited Hanoi to mark the one-year anniversary of the Vietnam–US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Led by USDA Deputy Secretary Alexis Taylor, the delegation was consisted of representatives from nine state governments, 35 businesses, and 25 major industry associations. Their visit underscored the growing interest of U.S. businesses in Vietnam boosting trade, both countries work to build inclusive development, enhance rural resilience, and promote sustainable production and clean energy. A key highlight is the "International Year of Women Farmers 2026" initiative, co-led by the U.S. and Vietnam and adopted by a United Nations resolution in May 2024. Following the resolution, Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Environment partnered with the U.S. Mission to ASEAN and the USDA to launch the initiative with a series of events. As part of the program, two American female farmers – Jennifer Schmidt and Jaclyn Wilson – traveled to Southeast Asia to engage with other female farmers, with Vietnam as their first American consumers increasingly choose Vietnamese agrifood, especially spices, fruits, seafood, and furniture. Meanwhile, Vietnamese producers rely more on U.S. imports, including cornmeal, soybeans, meat, dairy, lumber, livestock equipment, and farmers are enhanced with better skills and knowledge to adopt advanced American technologies to boost production, improve produce quality and protect the environment. High-quality materials and cutting-edge technologies from the U.S. are helping Vietnam build more competitive and sustainable supply agriculture continues to deepen partnerships with U.S. stakeholders, from federal and state governments to associations and businesses. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has signed multiple agreements with U.S. authorities and state governments. Vietnamese agribusinesses have signed 18 Memorandums of Understanding since 2020 to purchase agrifood from the U.S., totaling 6 billion USD, with half already the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has created favorable conditions for U.S. agricultural exporters to enter the Vietnam market. Vietnam has completed registration procedures for 509 meat and meat exporters and 232 seafood exporters from US to Vietnam; no backlog remains to be processed. Both countries are actively working to open their fruit markets to each other, enabling exporters to reach new customers and for consumers to enjoy the distinctive flavors of both tropical and temperate is also among the first eight Asian countries to approve biotechnology-based plant seeds from the U.S. So far, it has approved all 61 biotechnology applications dossiers submitted by U.S. companies. The two sides have also agreed on transparent and practical methods, procedures, and protocols for animal and plant quarantine. These agreements help pave the way for the development of the agrifood markets in both countries. In addition, the new Decree 73/2025/ND-CP, effective from March 31, 2025, cuts import tarriff to 0% for agrifood products that US has strong competiveness. As a result, agricultural exports from both sides have grown steadily, by around 10% annually over the past visit of Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Environment delegation to the U.S. in June 2025 reflects Vietnam's strong commitment to building trust and strengthening strategic partnerships by promoting the shared agricultural supply chains of the two countries. The visit also aims to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as the two countries celebrate 30 years of diplomatic an interview with Vietnamese press, the USDA emphasized: "Any agricultural trade imbalances are largely sector-specific and influenced by factors such as regulations, consumer demand, and supply chain dynamics. Ensuring reciprocal market access and reducing tariffs remain top priorities to sustain long-term trade growth."Dr. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, General Director of the International Cooperation Department under Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, expressed concern over President Trump administration's announcement of a 10% tariff from April 2, 2025, and the potential for a 46% reciprocal tariff on Vietnamese exports from July 9, 2025. This tarriff imposition has alarmed not only Vietnamese exporters but also American Tuan explained: "Beyond shrinking profit margins and weakening business competitiveness on both sides, higher reciprocal tariffs will raise prices for essential food products in the U.S. This action not only hurts American consumers but also potentially disrupts the supply chain that both governments and private sectors of both sides have worked hard to build in recent years. Agrifood is a necessity goods, and hiking price of agrifood will significantly burden American average-income households." The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
