Ha Noi, 16 December 2021 – The Ministry of Information and Trade (MOIT), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Chemical Society of Viet Nam (CSV) organised a workshop on “Circular Economy and the Role of Chemistry and the Chemical Industry”. The workshop aimed to raise the awareness of policymakers, scientists, and chemical companies on the concept of the circular economy, as well as to discuss principles, guidelines, and solutions to apply a circular economy approach in Viet Nam’s chemical industry and an implementation plan for future activities in the sector.

Joining the workshop were representatives of international organisations, FDI investors, chemical companies in Viet Nam, and professional organisations in the chemistry and chemical industry.

The chemical industry plays a crucial role in the country’s economy, and is the fifth largest global manufacturing sector. According to the report “The Global Chemical Industry: Catalyzing Growth and Addressing Our World’s Sustainable Challenges” by the International Council of Chemical Associations, the industry contributes 5.7 trillion USD to global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through direct, indirect, and induced impact, equivalent to seven percent of the world’s GDP and supporting 120 million jobs worldwide.

However, it also poses many challenges to the environment, human health, and climate change. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), unsound management of chemicals alone led to at least 1.6 million deaths in the world in 2016.

A circular economy is an important strategy not only for the globe, and every country, but also for every business. Therefore, companies, and specifically chemical companies, applying circular economy principles in their development plan will also contribute to the development of a circular economy for the whole country.

Speaking at the workshop, Mr. Vo Tuan Nhan, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), said: "The chemical industry may have been an industry with many potential risks of environmental pollution, but in fact it has created technological solutions, tools, and materials to deal with pollution from chemicals and other sources. And when it comes to the circular economy, the role of chemical science and the chemical industry is undeniable.”

“The chemical industry uses a lot of natural resources (apatite ore, coal, oil, etc.), and also generates a lot of hazardous waste. Many products of the industry are currently not used effectively or thoroughly treated,” said Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh, Director of the Viet Nam Chemicals Agency (MOIT).  “In the strategy to develop the chemical industry in Viet Nam till 2030 with a vision to 2040 that the Ministry is submitting to the Government, it is prioritized and encouraged to increase investments to construct chemical industry complexes, industrial parks focusing on chemicals with relevant chemical companies joining to create a network to develop circular economy models.”

Mr. Le Quoc Khanh, President of the Chemical Society of Viet Nam, said: “Chemistry and the chemical industry are indispensable in implementing a circular economy. Chemistry and the chemical industry have been and will be the tools to fulfil requirements on improving the efficiency of non-renewable resources, increasing the ability to exploit, develop, and effectively use renewable resources (including waste) to simultaneously resolve the conflicts of development, the environment, and society in the trend of modernization and civilization in all countries, including Viet Nam.”

“A circular economy is key to reducing waste generation and environmental pollution. In order to promote a circular economy in chemistry and the chemical industry, it is necessary to conduct a detailed review of the 10 sub-sectors under the chemical industry, thereby building a plan to adopt circular economy principles with priority given to tangible, easy-to-implement, and easy-to-create-change activities. By applying sustainable business and circular economy models, businesses can create value in four key dimensions: revenue generation, brand enhancement, cost saving, and risk reduction,” stressed Mr. Patrick Haverman, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Viet Nam.

Last October, UNDP and MONRE announced the “Viet Nam Circular Economy Hub.” This Hub aims to raise awareness and build the capacity of all stakeholders, including public authorities, businesses, civil society, and academia in the systematic application of circular economy principles, creating synergy and integrating financial and technical resources to support the circular and low-carbon transition in Viet Nam.

For more information, please contact:

Phan Huong Giang | CCE Media and Communications Analyst, UNDP Viet Nam
Ph. +84 24 38500136 | phan.huong.giang@undp.org

Hoang Thanh Vinh | Programme Analyst, UNDP Viet Nam
hoang.thanh.vinh@undp.org