US aid to help Vietnam reduce environmental pollution

The five-year project, Reducing Pollution, has identified six priority collective impact initiatives from private sector partners: pioneering company, community and consumer responsibility in plastic waste reduction, developing circular economy model in medical plastic waste management, reducing air pollution from road transportation, reducing air pollution from open burning, reducing pollution in craft villages, and developing a transparent environmental data disclosure platform.

USAID and the ministry signed a memorandum of understanding in January to improve environmental outcomes, and the project "is a great first milestone," said Aler Grubbs, the USAID mission director for Vietnam.

"Our joint efforts will raise awareness and promote actions led by Vietnamese to reduce environmental pollution and support Vietnam in achieving its climate change goals," she said at the project launch.

The project is implemented by USAID partner Winrock International, a non-profit organization, in collaboration with Vietnam's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

It will demonstrate connections between environmental and other social benefits, including public health, employment, and sustainable economic growth, bringing together people from different sectors to identify ways to solve environment problems and take action.