Ha noi, 11 July 2025 – The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), today organized the Inception Workshop for the project “Reduce the Impact and Release of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Mercury through Lifecycle Approach and Ecolabel”, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The workshop brought together nearly 70 participants from central and local government agencies, international organizations, funds, associations, businesses, and experts in the fields of environment, chemicals, and health.

Currently in Viet Nam, several types of POPs such as PBDEs, PFOS, HBCDD, and SCCPs are not produced domestically but are still imported and used in various industries including paints, plastics, electroplating, insulation materials, and textiles. However, regulations and incentive mechanisms to shift toward POP-free and non-emitting production remain insufficient, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Mercury also remains prevalent in many medical devices, such as thermometers, sphygmomanometers, and fluorescent lamps. The collection, sorting, and safe disposal systems for mercury-containing products at the end of their life cycles are still incomplete, posing risks to public health and the environment.

Viet Nam is a party to two major international conventions on chemical management: the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (signed in 2001) and the Minamata Convention on Mercury (ratified in 2013). However, in practice, POPs and mercury are still in use, particularly in industrial sectors such as plastics, coatings, metal plating, insulation, and medical equipment.

The project launch comes at a timely moment, as the recent Stockholm Convention Conference of the Parties (2025) agreed to globally eliminate three additional groups of harmful chemicals: chlorpyrifos, long-chain PFCAs, and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs). This highlights the urgency and relevance of the project as Viet Nam works to update its national chemical management policies and regulations.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Le Cong Thanh, Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, emphasized: “The project will contribute to strengthening environmental management, reducing emissions of POPs, U-POPs and mercury through support in developing and improving technical regulations and lifecycle product management guidelines. It also promotes green finance solutions, ecolabel systems, green procurement, and supports businesses in transitioning to cleaner technologies and sustainable product design—moving toward a circular economy and sustainable consumption.”

Mr. Patrick Haverman, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Viet Nam, stated: “The project we're launching today is vital for Viet Nam. It directly addresses our current situation and meets new requirements of the Stockholm Convention and the Minamata Convention. This project also aligns well with Viet Nam's existing legal framework, including the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 and its guiding decrees, specifically Decree No. 08/2022 and No. 05/2025, as well as the Law on Chemicals.”

The project will be implemented over four years, with over USD 4.6 million in GEF funding, and USD 28.5 million in domestic co-financing, including contributions from the public and private sectors. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will lead the implementation in coordination with relevant government agencies, financial institutions, enterprises, and communities.

At the workshop, stakeholders discussed and provided inputs to the project implementation plan, focusing on key areas such as assessing current use of POPs and mercury in typical industrial sectors in Viet Nam, promoting appropriate technological and financial solutions, and outlining a roadmap for ecolabeling and green consumption.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Phan Huong Giang   
UNDP Media and Communications Analyst, Climate Change, Energy and Environment 
United Nations Development Programme
Email: phan.huong.giang@undp.org  
Mob: 0948466688