Speech at the national teleconference on health sector mitigation of medical plastic waste by Sitara Syed, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in Viet Nam
Date: 16 August 2019

H.E. Professor. Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, Minister of Health,

H.E. Mr. Tran Hong Ha, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE)

Colleagues from Departments of the MOH, Provincial Departments of Health, local Governments, and health authorities

Colleagues from international development partners  

Ladies and gentlemen,

Xin Chao

To begin with, please accept my sincere thanks for inviting UNDP to this very important conference.  We are delighted to be part of this bold initiative on mitigating medical plastic waste and look forward to discussions on how together we can make the health care services in Viet Nam green and safer.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The two honorable ministers shared with us some very alarming data on the challenges related to waste. I can only add that, according to UN data globally, we produce 300 million tons of plastic waste every year; an estimated 8 million tons of it enters the world’s oceans and a large portion of it contaminates our natural environment. Plastic waste is an unprecedented hazard and needs our collective action.  

Việt Nam throws away about 1.8 million tons of plastic every year and is among   Asia’s top five and 17th globally in terms of plastic waste volume[1].
The encouraging part of this grim situation is that the government has taken ownership of this problem and is committed to resolving it. In December 2017 Viet Nam joined the list of 127 countries that adopted UN Environment Assembly’s resolution to tackle plastic waste and marine litter. This was followed by the Prime Minister’s   call for global cooperation in addressing marine plastics at G7 Summit in Canada in 2018. Viet Nam also underscored the importance of the matter at the G20 Summit in Japan in May 2019 and on many other occasions.

We are greatly encouraged by the bold measures introduced by the Government, including the Prime Minister’s Directive for mitigation of plastic waste and the commitment to adopt a National Action Plan on Marine Plastic Debris Management.

UNDP is a proud partner of the Government in this area and we stand ready to support the finalization of the National Action Plan on Marine Plastic Debris Management. We are also working with MONRE on an important study on circular economy.

Distinguished guests,

Globally, UNDP is a leading agency in supporting countries implement interventions on climate change, environment protection and natural resource management. Our work therefore includes issues like plastic waste management and other hazards that threaten the sustainability of our planet.  

Therefore, over the last decade, UNDP has engaged with the Viet Nam’s Health sector to draw and address the linkages between health services and climate change. A Joint project of UNDP, WHO, and Healthcare Without Harm over 2007-2011 developed considerable policies on waste management within the health care facilities.

Our current and planned support to partners in the health sector is outlined in the joint UNDP and Ministry of Health Memorandum of Understanding signed last year in March. As committed in the memorandum, UNDP’s support will focus on the sector’s response to climate change and ensuring that health services in the country are eco-friendly and sustainably planned and managed.  

We all know that the health sector plays a crucial role in ensuring human wellbeing. However, provision of these services, if not planned and managed well, can lead to risks such as exposure to biological or chemical agents, improper waste management, pollution through plastic and non-degradable products, emission of greenhouse gases and so on.

Therefore, building on our previous work, UNDP is pleased to partner with the MOH under a global programme funded by the Swedish Government. It is called Sustainable Health in Product Procurement or (SHiPP). The project looks at the linkages between procurement activities and possible impact on health and environment. Under this initiative, we will jointly examine current procurement policies in the health sector including by the private sector and identify interventions that will promote both environmental and social sustainability across all stages of the supply chain and procurement processes.

Other partners also are and have been providing valuable support in this area. The USAID funded project, “Strengthening Capacity for implementation of One Health in Viet Nam” project is one such example.

Distinguished guests

Let me assure again that UNDP is committed to assisting the government in achieving Agenda 2030 through aligning with government priorities, including on access to quality healthcare.

The task ahead is massive and challenging. The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment outlined some very helpful suggestions for possible action today. We look forward to working with all relevant partners to translate the goals on plastic waste mitigation and to come up with a well targeted action plan.

I wish you all a very successful conference.  Wish you all good health and greater success.

Xin Cam on