On April 24 and 25, Vietnam hosted a national conference on “Preventing Air Pollution and Improving Air Quality in Major Cities”. The event was co-organized by the Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, and Health, in collaboration with UNDP, WHO, and the Center for Clean Air Asia (CAA). More than 200 participants—including government officials, international organizations, and representatives from China, Switzerland, the UK, and Colombia—gathered to explore how China’s experience in air quality management could inform Vietnam’s strategies.
Vietnam faces nearly 70,000 pollution related deaths annually, resulting in economic losses of up to USD 13.3 billion. In response, the Vietnamese government launched an Action Plan titled “Vision 2050” in 2024, placing air pollution control at the forefront of its environmental agenda. In this context, capacity building and regional cooperation are crucial to advancing sustainable development in the country.
As part of the conference, CAA led a two-day training program focused on scientific air quality data management and governance through digital tools. Leading researchers from Peijing and Tsinghua Universities presented key research findings and case studies, including China’s flagship report “Ten Years on the Road to Cleaner Air”. China’s decade-long efforts in reducing greenhouse gases emissions and decarbonizing the power sector provided a valuable reference point for shaping Vietnam’s Clean Air Action Plan. Through interactive workshops and peer-to-peer exchanges, participants enhanced their technical skills, laid the groundwork for a robust and sustainable air quality management system in Vietnam.
CAA Vice President Glynda Bathan-Baterina emphasized the significance of pan-Asia collaboration, recalling a similar forum held in Beijing in November 2024, where Vietnamese and Chinese experts identified Vietnam’s needs in addressing climate change. Following the opening session, Vietnamese delegates expressed strong support for continued Sino-Vietnamese cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to building a cleaner, healthier future for the country’s urban centers.
