“Green growth - Opportunities, challenges and options for Vietnam ”were the main topic of a policy dialogue, which was held in Hanoi onAugust 24.

The dialogue provided an overview ofgreen growth and global development trends; global green cooperationtrends and opportunities for Vietnam ; Germany ’s experience inbuilding and implementing green growth strategy; and the UN EnvironmentProgramme’s method of approach to the green economy.

Dr. Vo Tri Thanh, Deputy Director of the Central Institute for EconomicManagement, pointed out a number of shortcomings regarding Vietnam’s sustainable development, such as the over-exploitation of naturalresources for economic growth, out-of-date technology, environmentalpollution and the community’s consumption acts and behaviour.

To build a green economy, Director of the Institute of Strategyand Policy on Natural Resources and Environment Dr. Nguyen Van Tai saidthe economy should be restructured in a more environmentally-friendlydirection by developing green economic sectors, environmental servicesand clean energy.

Vietnam needs to removebarriers and create a favourable legal foundation to promote cleanproduction, apply clean technologies, save energy and treat waste, Taiadded.

He suggested that Vietnam should pourmore investment in developing a number of spearhead economic sectorssuch as eco-tourism, regenerating natural forests and mangrove forests,and developing renewable energies and environmental services.

The dialogue was co-organised by the Institute of Strategy and Policyon Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE) under the VietnameseMinistry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Hanns-SeidelFoundation of Germany./.