In his speech at the seminar, Mr Hồ Quang Bửu, Vice Chairman of Da Nang City People's Committee, emphasised that integrated and sustainable waste management is not only an urgent requirement for environmental protection but also an important driver for the city's socio-economic development.

In all three discussion sessions of the workshop, many delegates agreed with the assessment of Assoc. Prof. Dr Cao Truong Son, Head of the Environmental and Sustainable Development Research Group at the Vietnam Academy of Agriculture, regarding the current difficulties and challenges in waste management. Accordingly, five main challenges were identified: Vietnam's waste management regulatory system is still inadequate and not highly feasible; technical infrastructure is weak and not integrated; there is a lack of a synchronised information and data system; waste treatment technology is limited; and the general public's awareness of environmental protection and waste management is low.

The seminar was attended by representatives of central and local agencies, international organisations, scientists and environmental experts. On behalf of the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE), Dr. Nguyễn Ngọc Sinh, the President of the Association, attended and exchanged views at the seminar.

The seminar was also attended by a delegation from the UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP), following their participation in the Regional Forum on Pollution held in Ho Chi Minh City. At the seminar, Ms Maria Neira, Executive Director of GAHP, shared numerous valuable international experiences in developing and implementing integrated waste management models aimed at sustainable development.

The delegates take commemorative photos