This was highlighted by participants at a celebration held in Hanoi on August 12 by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and the United Nations in Vietnam to mark 2020 International Youth Day.
This year’s celebration has the theme “The Vietnam we want in 2030: The Youth act for a clean environment”.
In his opening speech, Nguyen Ngoc Luong, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union emphasised that all members of the Youth Union at all levels as well as all other young people need to raise awareness among their communities on climate change, environmental protection, and the negative impact of plastic bags and waste through modern communication channels and on social media.
It is necessary to strengthen the capacity, knowledge and skills of the Youth Union, and other youth organisations on environment protection on how to cope with climate change, to pilot and popularise models of environmental protection and adaptability to climate change, and to promote innovative green startups and green business ideas, he stressed.
Michael Croft, UNESCO Representative in Vietnam and Co-chair of the UN Youth Working Group said that today’s young people have a unique stake in the global dialogue on climate change and they are making their voices heard in the most inspiring of ways.
Increasing ambition and implementing national climate strategies would simply not be possible without meaningful youth participation, he said, adding that young people have to be involved in every single step to ensure that the process incorporates youth considerations and innovations to protect future generations.
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A round-table discussion on environmental issues at the event.
Environmental issues are of particular concern to young people around the world, including Vietnamese young people who realise that to enable a better Vietnam for future generations it is crucial they take action.
Nguyen Quynh Duyen, a youth representative who attended the event said that the youth delegates in Vietnam already face the effects of climate change and are prepared to give all they have as long as there is the possibility of saving the planet.
On the occasion, the Vietnamese youth called for everyone to participate in keeping the environment clean and safe from pollution and to practice sustainable, eco-friendly lifestyles.
In 1999, the UN General Assembly declared August 12 International Youth Day, creating an opportunity to celebrate young peoples’ views and initiatives and to call on governments to address youth related issues worldwide.
