The United Nations (UN) has called out for sustainable efforts and stopping plastic pollution in order to save the oceans.

The call was made on the occasion of World Oceans Day on June 8. It is the second year the day is fully online due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, which has hit the world since late 2019.

“Oceans are considered to be the lungs of the planet, a critical part of the biosphere and are a major source of food and medicine,” said the UN.

With the theme “The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods”, this year's World Oceans Day is especially relevant in the lead-up to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, which will run from 2021 to 2030.

It is aimed at strengthening international cooperation to develop scientific research and innovative technologies that are capable of connecting ocean science with the needs of modern society, according to the UN.

Soldiers and people in Quang Tri central province collect waste on the beach of Cua Viet. Photo: VNA

In response to World Oceans Day, Vietnam’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) has sent a dispatch instructing activities under the Vietnam Sea and Islands Week to ministries and localities nationwide.

From June 1 to 15, these activities are set to be held in an efficient and effective manner, while complying with Covid-19-prevention and control measures.

Localities have been asked to intensify their control of the collection, transport, and treatment of waste, particularly plastic waste, in coastal areas and islands, and promote the construction of public facilities for environmental protection encouraged.

Following the idea of "The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods", the theme "Ocean protection and sustainable development of marine livelihoods in Vietnam" has been selected for the Vietnam Sea and Islands Week.

The goals are also set to materialize the contents of the nation’s resolution on the strategy for sustainable development of the country’s marine economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045.

Activities in the Vietnam Sea and Islands Week introduces new ideas, products, and solutions that highlight innovations in fields relating to the ocean.

Ta Dinh Thi, director of the Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands under the MoNRE, said that after 12 years responding to the World Oceans Day and the Vietnam Sea and Islands Week, people’s awareness of the role of seas and oceans, the protection of sea and island sovereignty as well as sustainable development of Vietnam's marine economy has increased remarkably.

“A new global agreement will provide an opportunity to develop global sustainability goals, through which Vietnam will represent the region in calling for a global pact with ambitious goals and strong actions in combating ocean plastic pollution,” Thi said.