The College of Economics, Technology and Fisheries collaborated to implement the project "Emission sources, accumulation places and solutions to reduce the impact of plastic waste on coastal communities in Vietnam"

On the morning of May 26, 2022, at Phenikaa University, Hanoi, the kick-off ceremony of the research project "Emission sources, places of accumulation and solutions to reduce the impact of plastic waste on the community was held at Phenikaa University, Hanoi. coastal areas in Vietnam” (referred to as 3SIP2C - Sources, Sinks and Solutions for Impacts of Plastics on Coastal Communities in Vietnam).

The 3SIP2C project, funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) through the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), was implemented conducted by Heriot-Watt University (United Kingdom) and 07 partners in Vietnam, including: Phenikaa University (Focus unit); Institute of Environment and Natural Resources (National University of Ho Chi Minh City); Institute of Vietnamese Studies and Development Science (Hanoi National University), Hanoi University of Science and Technology; College of Economics, Technology and Fisheries; Institute of Economics and Fisheries Planning; and the Institute of Strategy, Policy on Natural Resources and Environment. The overall goal of the project is to clarify the sources of emissions, where they accumulate and the impacts of plastic waste on ecosystems and coastal communities.

College of Economics, Technology and Fisheries participates in component 3 of the project: Researching the impact of microplastics on health and environment. In which Dr. Truong Van Thuong is in charge of the research on the relationship between microplastics and pathogens in aquaculture.

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Thai Thanh Binh (4th from the right)-Representative of the school's leadership to participate in the project kick-off ceremony

Attending the ceremony were representatives of Heriot-Watt University - Prof. Michel Kaiser - Project Director and Professor Thomas Wagner - co-director of the project; representatives of leading agencies implementing projects on the Vietnamese side and different stakeholders. On the side of state management agencies, there were Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Dung, Director of Science, Technology and International Cooperation Department, Directorate of Fisheries (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development); On the side of the British Embassy in Vietnam, there were the attendance of Ms. Phan Thi Lien Huong - Program Manager for Cooperation in Scientific Research and Innovation; together with more than 60 delegates who are scientists, managers, experts from universities, research institutes, hospitals, NGOs working in the fields of environment, policy, health, fisheries and tourism.

Representatives of the British Embassy, Directorate of Fisheries and leaders of units participating in the project

In particular, attending the ceremony were representatives of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in some localities (Hai Phong, Nam Dinh and Ben Tre). According to the plan, the project will carry out sample collection and community consultation in the aforementioned localities, so the attendance of local representatives is important.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Professor, Dr. Pham Thanh Huy - Rector of Phenikka University congratulated the project implementation team and affirmed Phenikaa University's companionship with the project. The professor expressed his willingness to cooperate with businesses, universities, institutes and research centers in Vietnam as well as internationally to transfer knowledge and serve the community to help not only students develop holistic development but also demonstrates the school's commitment to the sustainable development goals.

Delegates participating in the conference

             In the opening speech and overview of the project, Professor Michel Kaiser - (Representative of the project implementation team) - affirmed that the 3SIP2C project will contribute to clarifying the source of ocean plastic waste. and the impact of plastic waste on socio-economic activities, environmental quality, health of natural ecosystems and human health. Based on the research results, the project will propose policy recommendations and solutions to minimize the impact of plastic waste on coastal communities in Vietnam.

Professor Michel Kaiser (Project Director) and Professor Thomas Wagner (Project co-leader) - Heriot-Watt University (UK) spoke at the conference

At the ceremony, the representative of the state management agency Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Dung presented the Action Plan to reduce plastic waste in the seafood industry in the period of 2020 - 2030. Besides, representatives of the components of the fisheries sector. The 3SIP2C project also presented an overview of the objectives, methods and activities of each component.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Dung – Representative of the Directorate of Fisheries – Presenting the action plan of the seafood industry with plastic waste.

During the session introducing the Project Components and general discussion, chaired by Professor Michel Kaiser (Project Director – Heriot-Watt University) – and Dr. Ngo Thi Thuy Huong (Co-Director of the Project) Vietnamese side, Phenikaa University). Objectives, action plans and expected outcomes of each component were introduced to attendees and stakeholders. At the same time, the Project also received many congratulations and valuable comments for the Project's activities in the coming time. The participants highly appreciated the role and significance of the Project for the management of plastic waste in Vietnam, also discussed and exchanged issues related to the location and scope of sampling, research methods, implementation time and methods of using and publishing research results. Some comments from representatives of localities emphasized information and data to monitor the effectiveness of the implementation of policies and wished to inherit the results of the project later to better serve the work. develop and implement local plastic waste management policies.

Speaking at the end of the ceremony, Professor Michel Kaiser and Dr. Ngo Thi Thuy Huong, on behalf of the project implementation team, sincerely thanked the participants, acknowledged the comments and wished to share. share information, coordinate with stakeholders, especially localities in the process of implementing project activities.

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