The workshop was jointly held by the city’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Global Environment Centre Foundation (GEC) and Osaka Water and Environment Solutions Association (OWESA) of Japan.

The workshop aims to provide the two cities with a chance to share experiences in managing solid waste, as well as find cooperative opportunities in this field.

According to Shinsaku Azuma, General Director of Osaka Environment Bureau, the workshop is part of a cooperative programme signed by the two cities in July last year.

A number of issues relating to solid waste works were discussed at the workshop, such as challenges and policies of Ho Chi Minh City on urban solid waste management; experiences and policies of Osaka city in solid waste management; and temporary solutions for solid waste treatment in Ho Chi Minh City.

The workshop also heard Japanese experts’ reports on advanced technologies for solid and liquid waste treatment and medical waste treatment.

At present, over 6,700 tonnes of urban solid waste are required to be treated every day. Of that figure, 1,500-2,000 tonnes of industrial and harmful waste were treated and recycled with outmoded technologies.

The cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Osaka is very significant for both, especially while Ho Chi Minh City needs to enhance management experience and consultancies on new technologies in order to solve waste issues.

Participants also made fact-finding tours to sanitary landfills, medical waste incinerators and industrial parks in the city.

* Japan helps Vietnam tackle chemical pollution

Vietnam and Japanese officials gathered in Hanoi on February 16 to discuss chemical contamination and challenges in the environment.

Addressing the workshop, Deputy Head of the Vietnam Environment Administration (VEA) Nguyen The Dong affirmed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment pays special attention to sharing experience in handling pollution caused by chemicals with regional and global countries, including Japan.

Nguyen Anh Tuan, a VEA official said chemical pollution links chemical production and business, and causes negative impact on people’s health.

There are about 1,153 sites contaminated by herbicides nationwide due to poor management and past use of chemicals.

The Prime Minister on October 21, 2010 issued a decision to approve a plan on treatment and prevention of chemically polluted environments.

Aki Nakauchi from the Japanese Environment Ministry shared Japan’s achievements in tackling pollution and environmental degradation, as well as its lessons, particularly policies on community education and the role of the community in addressing environmental issues.

V.N.N –V.O.V