Decision No. 1746/QD-TTg 2019 plan on marine plastic debris management through 2030

DECISION

Promulgating the national action plan on marine plastic debris management through 2030^[1]

THE PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the June 19, 2015 Law on Organization of the Government;

Pursuant to Resolution 36-NQ/TW of October 22, 2018, of the eighth plenum of the XII^th Party Central Committee, on the strategy for sustainable development of Vietnam’s marine economy through 2030, with a vision toward 2045;

Pursuant to the Government’s Resolution No. 01/NQ-CP of January 1, 2019, on major tasks and solutions to implement the 2019 socio-economic development plan and state budget estimates;

At the proposal of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment,

DECIDES:

Article 1. To promulgate the national action plan on marine plastic debris management through 2030 (below referred to as the national action plan) with the following contents:

I. OBJECTIVES

1. General objectives

- To effectively implement Vietnam’s initiatives and commitments with the international community on addressing issues related to plastic debris, particularly marine plastic debris, to prevent the discharge of plastic debris from land-based waste sources and marine activities, striving to make Vietnam a pioneering country in the region in reducing marine plastic debris.

- To contribute to successfully implementing the national strategy for integrated management of solid wastes through 2025, with a vision toward 2050, approved under the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 491/QD-TTg of May 7, 2018, and to formulating and effectively implementing the scheme on intensification of plastic waste management in Vietnam.

- To comply with the approach based on the circular economy model, thus helping accelerate the recovery, recycling and reuse of plastic wastes in Vietnam.

- To raise the awareness, and change behaviors and habits of the community and society in using disposable plastic products and non-biodegradable plastic bags.

2. Specific objectives

a/ By 2025

- Plastic debris discharged into the sea and ocean will be reduced by half; half of lost or discarded fishing tackle will be collected; 80% of tourist attractions and sites, and establishments providing tourist accommodation services and other coastal tourism services will refrain from using disposable plastic products or non-biodegradable plastic bags; campaigns on debris collection and cleaning activities on beaches nationwide will be launched at least twice a year; and 80% of marine reserves will be free from plastic debris.

- Monitoring shall be conducted annually and every 5 years to assess the situation of marine plastic debris in some estuaries of 5 main river basins in the North, North Central, mid-Central Vietnam, South Central and South regions, and on islands with tourism development potential of 12 island districts.

b/ By 2030

- Plastic debris discharged into the sea and ocean will be reduced by 75%; all lost or discarded fishing tackle will be collected and the discharge of fishing tackle directly into the sea will be terminated; all tourist attractions and sites, and establishments providing tourist accommodation services and other coastal tourism services will refrain from using disposable plastic products or non-biodegradable plastic bags; and all marine reserves will be free from plastic debris.

- Monitoring shall be conducted annually and every 5 years to assess the situation of marine plastic debris in some estuaries of 11 main river basins and in 12 island districts.

II. TASKS AND SOLUTIONS