Vice Minister Le Cong Thanh of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment;
Deputy Director General Vu Duc Dam Quang of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment;
Ambassador Hild Soldbakken of the Royal Norwegian Embassy;
Ms. Clemence Smith, Director of the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP), hosted by the World Economic Forum;
NPAP Leadership Board and Taskforce members;
Distinguished representatives from ministries, embassies, international organizations, and the private sector;

Colleagues, partners, and friends,
It is a pleasure to join you today as we work together to address plastic pollution in Viet Nam.
Let me begin by acknowledging the valuable leadership of our Leadership Board chair, Vice Minister Le Cong Thanh, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

And the continued commitment of all NPAP members and partners. 
Your collective efforts have brought Viet Nam’s plastic action agenda from early vision to national implementation.
Over the past few years, I have had the privilege of witnessing this evolution. Each year, the energy, diversity, and determination of the partnership have grown stronger.

Today’s meeting comes at a pivotal moment. It is a time to reflect on our progress, revisit our shared goals, and prepare for a new stage of NPAP, as we begin the transition to a mature, nationally owned and sustainable partnership. 

Let me highlight some key achievements: 
A decade ago, Viet Nam was often cited among the world’s top plastic polluters. 
Today, that narrative is changing, not because the problem has disappeared, but because Viet Nam is taking meaningful, measurable steps to address it. 

Since NPAP’s launch in 2020:
•    Over 200 organizations have joined the partnership.
•    Key laws and policies have been introduced on environment protection, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), waste sorting at source, phasing out single-use plastics, and applying eco-labels. 
•    More than 570 innovative solutions have been supported, with well over 1 million USD invested, including more than $620,000 in seed funding through innovation initiatives. 
•    Over 160 projects have been carried out to tackle plastic waste and pollution in Viet Nam.
•    Gender and inclusivity have been embedded, with around 7,000 informal women waste workers supported through training, organizational strengthening, and improved access to health insurance, essential supplies, and protective equipment.
•    And Viet Nam has played an active role in global plastic treaty negotiations from INC-2 onwards.
In highlighting these achievements, I also recognize the vital financial and technical assistance provided by the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) hosted by the World Economic Forum, through partnerships with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and UNDP.

Ladies and gentlemen, 
As we move into the next phase, we should be clear-eyed about the challenges ahead in ensuring an effective Partnership.

The leadership and support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has ensured strong NPAP visibility, operations and national ownership. We need to ensure this is sustained, and matched by other key ministries and proactive participation from stakeholders such as the private sector.

Secondly, on policy and business influence: While EPR and waste management are advancing, effective upstream solutions are needed, including eco-design, alternative materials, and new circular business models. This should be reflected in an updated NPAP roadmap to better support business decision-making.

Thirdly, on financial sustainability: Securing long-term funding for NPAP operations remains a critical gap. We are not yet where we need to be. 

Transitioning to a fully sustainable NPAP will take time. It will require robust systems, strong local ownership, and reliable financing. But it is possible with shared responsibility and continued collaboration.

It will be essential to have the continued support and engagement from GPAP, as one of the first NPAPs and a key part of regional and global NPAP networks.

It is important that our development partners and private sector leaders continue their proactive role through funding, expertise, and innovation. 

And for our NPAP members—whether upstream or downstream—your actions will be critical in enabling innovation and putting solutions into practice on the ground.

UNDP remains committed to supporting this process, as a key part of our overall environment, climate, and circular economy portfolios.

Together, we have made important progress. Sustaining and scaling our impact on plastic action will require clarity of roles, realistic planning, and collective effort.

Thank you—and I look forward to the discussions ahead.
Xin cảm ơn.