SUBJECT: Environment, Development cooperation
Australian Government supports Clean up the World in Vietnam
Hanoi – The Australian Government will support Vietnam’s 2009 Clean up the World campaign, including the national launch ceremony to be held in Phu Tho province on 20 September. This is the 15th year the Australian Government, through the Australian Embassy in Hanoi and the Australian Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City, has supported Clean up the World campaigns in Vietnam.In cooperation with Vietnam’s Environment Administration, the Australian Embassy in Hanoi has supported the publication of a book “Clean up the World: Communities Uniting to Combat Climate Change”. The book will be distributed to schools and libraries in Vietnam to raise awareness of climate change. The Embassy and the Australian Aid Program will also sponsor the national launch ceremony and printing of promotional materials.
Over 50 Embassy staff and family members will travel to Phu Tho province to take part in activities at the national launch ceremony, including tree planting and rubbish collecting activities. At the launch ceremony, Deputy Head of the Australian Embassy Ms Vanessa Wood will invite children to share their views on the environment and the importance of Clean up the World. “We should protect the environment not only for ourselves but also for the next generations,” said Ms Wood.
Mr Bui Cach Tuyen, Director General, Vietnam Environment Administration, said “In the last 15 years of organising the Clean up the World campaign, Vietnam has received continuous and effective support and cooperation from the Australian Government.”
To support Vietnam’s Clean up the World campaign, the Australian Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City has also organised a writing competition on the environment. The competition has received good participation from local schools and the winner will be announced soon.
“The Clean up the World campaign was started by one Australian, Mr Ian Kiernan, in 1989. This year over 35 million people in 120 countries will take part in the campaign. We learn from that the pervasive strength of a meaningful individual act. I believe we can all do similar things. Let’s act together for a cleaner world,” said Australian Ambassador Allaster Cox.
According to the World Bank, Vietnam will be one of the top five countries most impacted by climate change. Between July 2007 and June 2009, Australia contributed nearly VND150 billion (AUD10 million) to climate change adaptation and disaster mitigation projects in Vietnam. Australia has also provided significant funding for environment programs in Vietnam, including the construction of water treatment plants in the Mekong Delta, conservation and development of the Kien Giang UNESCO Man and Biosphere reserve (VND40,5 billion, AUD2,7 million), and the North Vam Nao (An Giang) water control project (about VND270 billion, AUD18 million).