This is an annual program of Journal of Natural Resources and Environment, responding to World Environment Day (June 5) and Action Month for the Environment, and is a meaningful activity to celebrate the 20th anniversary of establishment of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (August 5, 2002 - August 5, 2022).

Attending the program were Dr. Luu Binh Nhuong - Deputy Head of the National Assembly's Commission on People’s Petitions; Assoc.Prof. Dr. Bui Thi An - Director of the Institute of Natural Resources, Environment and Community Development; Prof.Dr.Dang Kim Chi, Vice President of the Vietnam Association for the Conservation of Nature and Environment; Ms. Nguyen Thi Le Thu, Senior Environmental Specialist of the World Bank in Vietnam; Dr. Pham Thi My, Chief Editor of Journanl of Health and Environment; together with managers, scientists, researchers, experts from Vietnam, Japan, Finland, etc., representatives of Departments of Natural Resources and Environment and environmental companies.

The forum aims to disseminate and propagate the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection and the meaning of World Environment Day, while connecting and calling on managers, scientists, businesses, and people to join hands to implement stronger actions for the green environment.

At the opening of the forum, Dr. Dao Xuan Hung, Chief Editor of Journal of Natural Resources and Environment acquainted: According to statistics from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, currently, the amount of domestic solid waste generated across the country is about 60,000 tons/day. Of which, urban area 3 accounts for 60%; In just two big cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, there are 7,000 - 9,000 tons of domestic solid waste per day. In many other localities across the country, the amount of domestic solid waste per day generated is also a fairly large number, but the most notable thing is that the collection and treatment rate of this type of waste is still low, not reaching 100%. It is forcasted that by 2025, the rate of domestic solid waste generation will increase from 10 - 16%/year. Regarding the treatment of domestic solid waste, currently, over 70% of waste is treated by landfilling and only 15% of it is disposed in sanitary landfills.

 “Treating leachate is a very complicated and expensive issue. In particular, current landfill technology has not yet collected methane gas - one of the main causes of the greenhouse effect. Faced with these difficulties and challenges, solutions such as separating and collecting domestic solid waste at source, applying advanced technology in recycling domestic solid waste, and gradually reducing direct landfilling...need to be increased in application", Dr. Dao Xuan Hung emphasized.

Also according to Dr. Dao Xuan Hung, Journal of Natural Resources and Environment organized the forum. The need to treat solid waste is urgent, while solid waste itself is a resource, Deputy Head of the National Assembly's Commission on People’s Petitions Luu Binh Nhuong emphasized the need to apply scientific and technological advances as well as effective solutions to turn domestic waste into useful resources to serve needs and purposes.

According to Dr. Luu Binh Nhuong, currently there are many different waste treatment technologies, so considering and choosing to apply technology suitable for Vietnam's practical conditions will bring optimal efficiency. The 2023 Environmental Forum will be an important opportunity for managers, experts, scientists and businesses to accurately identify advanced, modern technologies for solid waste treatment that are suitable for Vietnamese conditions. At the same time, contributing ideas to develop more completed policies on solid waste, aiming to develop a sustainable, environmentally friendly Vietnam, aiming to be carbon neutral by 2050.

At the program, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Dinh Tho, Director of the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment said that currently, humanity is facing challenges of economic crisis, resource depletion and climate change. To overcome these crises, one of the solutions is to use resources economically and effectively, considering waste as a resource.

In the discussion, experts, managers, and scientists from Vietnam and Japan shared experiences and gave solutions and recommendations for the treatment of domestic solid waste in accordance with the current situation in Vietnam. In addition, businesses operating in the field of environment and waste treatment introduced advanced models, modern technology, and solutions in treating, separating and recycling domestic solid waste.

From the perspective and sharing of foreign businesses, Mr. Norihisa Hirata, Deputy Director of Vietnam Waste Planning Company, gave a speech on business opportunities for the domestic solid waste recycling industry and proposed the plan of changing following Japan's experience in establishing a collection system for products under ERP regulations.

Prof.Dr.Dang Kim Chi, Vice President of the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment, said: It is necessary to maintain and coordinate with ministries and branches to review, update and comprehensively evaluate solid waste treatment technologies that have just been applied in Vietnam to have a scientific and practical basis to encourage the application of technologies suitable to Vietnamese conditions; Criteria for selecting experts for technology assessment is extremely important. Experts have experience in each field and specialty, are enthusiastic and have a deep understanding of technology. If necessary, we can request help from foreign partners; Guide localities to prioritize the selection of solid waste treatment technologies suitable to natural and social conditions and local development needs.

Recommendation of some measures for domestic solid waste treatment, MSc. Dinh Nam Vinh, Department of Technology Appraisal, Examination and Assessment, Ministry of Science and Technology, said that ministries and branches need to continue to effectively implement key national programs related to environmental protection and natural disaster prevention, including domestic solid waste treatment technology suitable to Vietnamese conditions.

Some recommendations were made at the forum:

- Promote the implementation of research and technology transfer support activities to evaluate and select domestic solid waste treatment technologies suitable for Vietnam; Promulgate and complete an incentive mechanism that is attractive enough for businesses to participate in transferring domestic solid waste treatment technology associated with investment projects and researching scientific and technological tasks in a large scale; It is necessary to fully supplement policies on unit prices of waste treatment/purchase of electricity from waste power projects for each different type of technology, tax exemption and reduction mechanisms, and support/reduction of interest rate.

- Select and apply appropriate technologies, ensuring sustainability and creating the best efficiency in solid waste treatment. Solid waste treatment needs to be approached methodically and effectively to protect the environment and public health; Promote solid waste separation at source and encourage the application of recycling technology. This helps reduce the amount of waste going into landfill and make the most of the resources obtained from waste; At the same time, it is necessary to build an effective recycling infrastructure system and create favorable conditions for businesses and individuals to participate in recycling activities.

- The Government and organizations can create favorable conditions for research and development of innovative solid waste treatment technology. It is necessary to encourage innovation and investment in research projects on advanced solid waste treatment technology, including the application of artificial intelligence, IoT (Internet of Things) and other information technologies to solve this problem in a smart and effective way.

- Raise public awareness about solid waste treatment, the Government and organizations need to strengthen education and propaganda on awareness of proper solid waste treatment. People need to be guided on how to separate waste, use reusable bags and how to reduce the amount of solid waste produced in daily life.

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