(VOVworld) - Protecting the marine environment is a crucial task of all ministries and localities, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said at a meeting in Nam Dinh on Wednesday  in response to Vietnam Sea and Island Week and World Oceans Day 2016.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the meeting (Photo: VNA)

The annual Vietnam Sea and Island Week from June 1-8 aims to raise public awareness of the significant role of sea and islands in nation building and defense. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said Vietnam needs to attract financial resources to develop its marine economy, which is expected to contribute 53-55 percent of Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) and 60 percent of its export turnover by 2020: “Protecting the marine environment is an important long-term task. We need to improve environmental protection, especially in our coastal areas, and promptly deal with environmental problems. The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, together with other relevant ministries and localities, needs to review projects that discharge waste to the sea, enforce environmental protection laws, and punish violators”.

Mr. Phuc asked ministries and localities to be active in mitigating natural disasters, fostering international marine cooperation, and dealing with climate change and a rising sea level.

The Prime Minister said Vietnam supports countries with interests in the East Sea taking actions that contribute to peace, stability, security, safety of navigation and aviation, and environmental protection.

Vietnam asked parties to settle differences and disputes via peaceful means that respect international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).