Released on 14 September 2007

CLEAN UP THE WORLD 14-16 SEPTEMBER 2007

Hanoi/HCMC – 14 September 2007 – Vietnam’s 13th National “Clean Up the World Day” was launched this morning in Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province and Binh Luc, Ha Nam province, attracting the participation of over 3,000 people. The campaign was jointly organised by the Ministry for Natural Resources and Environment, the Australian Embassy in Hanoi, the Australian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, and in collaboration with the Vietnam Youth Union and local authorities.

“Clean Up the World Day” originally started on the 8 January 1989 as “Clean Up Sydney Harbour Day”. The following year, the first “Clean Up Australia Day” was held at 5,000 locations across Australia, and more than 300,000 people took part. In September 1993, the first “Clean Up the World Day” was held, marking the transition from an Australian initiative, to a truly global event. Each year, “Clean Up the World” mobilises an estimated 35 million volunteers across 120 countries, making it one of the largest community-based environmental campaigns in the world. Examples of community-led “Clean Up the World” activities include: recycling and resource recovery; tree planting; education campaigns; water reuse and conservation; competitions; exhibitions; and restoration projects.

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, said “I am pleased to announce that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is celebrating 15 years assisting communities around the world take action to protect their local environment as part of the Clean Up the World campaign – a unique Australian environmental initiative.”

Vietnam has been a strong supporter of the “Clean Up the World Day” since its first involvement in 1994. In 2006, thousands of people from around the country participated in the campaign, with various activities ranging from planting trees to cleaning up the beach, dredging canals, clearing areas, etc.

“The slogan “Our climate, our action, our future” of the “Clean Up the World Day” this year is not merely a warning, but a request for specific and practical action to respond to global climate changes that are causing serious consequences in many countries including Vietnam”, said Mr Nguyen Cong Thanh, Vice-Minister for Natural Resources and Environment.

Mr Graham Pearce, Acting Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, said “As the Australian Government’s representative in Ho Chi Minh City, I am very happy to see that the Clean Up the World campaign has received such enthusiastic support in Vietnam. The participation of over two thousand volunteers in Bien Hoa today is a testament of the importance of this progam and the commitment of the Vietnamese people to the environment and their country. When we all work together we can really make a difference preserving the environment for current and future generations”


For more information, please contact:

Nguyen Thi Thanh An
Public Affairs and Cultural Relations Manager
Tel. 04-8317755 ext. 302 or mob. 0903423440
Email. [email protected]