INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS DISCUSS SOLUTIONS TO CONTROL POLLUTION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

On the morning of March 2, 2026, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE), in coordination with the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP), organized the Regional Pollution Forum (RPF) with the theme “Addressing Pollution to Improve Community Health.” The forum took place over two days, March 2–3, 2026.

The event brought together nearly 80 delegates, including representatives from government management agencies, experts, scientists, and organizations from Vietnam, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, as well as several Southeast Asian and European countries, to discuss the current state of pollution and propose solutions to strengthen environmental protection in the region.

Delegates attending the Forum

In recent years, environmental pollution has been identified as one of the main causes of many diseases, seriously affecting ecosystems, public health, and causing major economic losses worldwide. In Vietnam, with the commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, agencies, organizations, and communities are actively implementing many solutions to respond to climate change and control pollution.

In the context where production and development activities continue to put pressure on the environment, the RPF Forum is organized as an open dialogue space to strengthen coordination and share knowledge and practical experience among countries in addressing pollution, protecting health, and promoting sustainable development.

At the forum, experts analyzed environmental challenges through pilot projects, clarifying emission sources, exposure pathways, and impacts on

Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Sinh, Chairman of VACNE, delivered the welcome speech at the forum

Speaking at the forum, Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Sinh, Chairman of VACNE, emphasized: Environmental pollution is a global and transboundary issue that requires the joint efforts of multiple stakeholders. The forum provides an opportunity for parties to exchange views, clarify the current situation, and define the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder. Since its establishment in 1988, VACNE has consistently committed to partnering with domestic and international collaborators, promoting dialogue that connects science with policy and practical action, thereby contributing to the community’s collective efforts in the field of nature and environmental protection.

Activities under the EPP-VN framework implemented by VACNE and GAHP in recent years have contributed to raising awareness, transferring technology, and building a foundation for subsequent projects aimed at sustainable agriculture, emissions reduction, and climate change adaptation. This model has not only proven effective in Vietnam but has also spread to Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, Nepal, and Tanzania.

Ms. Maria Paola Lia, Executive Director of GAHP, shared: “Pollution is a major but preventable cause of many diseases across Southeast Asia. The RPF forum focuses on practical, evidence-based solutions that deliver clear health benefits, including results already demonstrated through the program implemented in Vietnam.”

She also highlighted the flagship project “Assessment of the current situation and proposals for solutions to reduce the impacts of open burning and the use of plant protection chemicals in agriculture on climate change, human health, and biodiversity in Vietnam.” Through this initiative, farmers in the South, the Central Highlands, and the North are supported in applying integrated pest management (IPM), utilizing agricultural by-products to cultivate straw mushrooms, raise earthworms, and produce organic fertilizers and animal feed thereby increasing income and reducing emissions.

According to Ms. Toks Akinseye, a representative of Defra, the UK Government prioritizes cooperative projects that propose sustainable solutions initiated and implemented by local communities themselves. The RPF Forum in Ho Chi Minh City is an important component of the environmental pollution program initiated by Defra, promoting a multilateral approach for the shared benefit of countries and communities.

The outcomes of the RPF Forum are expected to become an important information foundation guiding the regional cooperation roadmap for pollution control, contributing to protecting public health and promoting sustainable development in Southeast Asia.

The forum is divided into multiple discussion sessions on different topics

Source: VACNE