Activities on World Oceans Day (June 8) and Vietnam Seas and Islands Week (June 1 – 8) have long become annual activities in Viet Nam. After 2 years limited by the Covid-19 epidemic, to celebrate the events this year, various actions and activities were organized and coordinated by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and local governments throughout the country.
Participating in the celebration activities, the Institute of Oceanography (IO), in coordination with Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and Department of Natural Resources and Environment, organized the forum "For a Blue Ocean" on June 8, 2022 at its campus, aiming to inspire, encourage, engage Youth to take action to conserve coastal and marine environments and resources, combat climate change toward a blue ocean and sustainable marine economic development.
Attending the forum were Dr. Dao Viet Ha - Director of the Institute of Oceanography, Mr. Duong Quang Vinh – Head of Khanh Hoa Division of Seas and Islands and nearly 200 Youth represenatatives in Khanh Hoa province.
Focusing on the themes "Revitalisation: Collective Action for the Ocean" of World Environment Day 2022 and "Sustainable development of sea-based economy in association with preservation of biodiversity and marine ecosystems” of Vietnam Seas and Islands Week 2022, Mr. Thai Minh Quang, an IO’s young scientist, gave a presentation on Vietnam marine biodiversity and ecosystems, coastal economic activities and their impacts on marine environment and ecosystems, as well as the development of Vietnam Marine Protected Area Network. This information will help the youth understand the importance of marine biodiversity and ecosystems, realise the challenges Vietnam is facing, so that they will think and act properly to protect the environment and oceans, and to promote sustainable development of the seas and islands.
During the forum, the youth also took part in a plastic recycling competition, where plastic waste were transformed into useful products such as cute flower pots which were both artistic and applicable. The products are then placed in IO’s campus to create a small garden with recycled plastic products, so that the visitors, coming to visit the Museum of Oceanography, can see some ways we can do to reduce plastic waste. A big turtle made of platic waste displayed in the garden will warn the people of plastic waste harmful impacts. In addition, the youth also discussed to organize a beach clean up initiative in Nha Trang beach, visited and learnt about marine biodiversity and species preserved in the Museum of Oceanography, thereby to increase their responsibility to protect the richness and diversity of Vietnam's marine and island ecosystems.
Some photos from the forum:
Participants at the forum (Photo: Dinh Tuong)
Poster displayed at the forum
Transforming plastic waste into flower pots
Some of the cute recycled plastic products
IO’s youth with its recycled plastic products
(Source https://stnmt.khanhhoa.gov.vn, Institute of Oceanography, VTV1)
