Hanoi, December 20, 2019 – The Vietnam Environmental Administration (VEA) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) together with the 2030 WRG convened a multi-stakeholder working group to endorse the launching of an Urban Industrial Water Pollution Workstream. The main objectives of this initiative are: (i) to provide concrete policy recommendations and (ii) to ideate, design, and provide implementation support for transformative actions such as programs, projects, and initiatives to prioritize water pollution and to take concrete actions to address this space.

In addition to the MONRE, members of this working group include: the Ministry of Construction (MOC), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), Ministry of Industrial and Trade (MOIT), and Ministry of Finance (MOF); Nestlé, Unilever, Coca-Cola, Bao Minh Textile Group, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry / Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VCCI/VBCSD); and World Wildlife Fund (WWF), International Union for Conversation of Nature (IUCN), Center for Environment and Community Research (CECR), Vietnam Water Supply and Sewage Association (VWSSA), Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), and Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) among others. International observers include the German International Development Agency (GIZ), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and International Financial Corporation (IFC). Other organizations will also be involved to work on specific taskforces based on their expertise. The 2030 WRG and VEA/MONRE will be the joint secretariat of the working group.

The workstream endorsed the activities to be undertaken in the context of this initiative, including the establishment of three task forces to work with the textile sector, the identification of the next sector, and the search for alternative financing options. Under the textile taskforce, an assessment of the sector water footprint and a feasibility study for water recycling and reuse within 1-2 industrial parks will soon be implemented.