VWU Responds to the 2025 Action Month for Environment and World Environment Day (June 5)

Attending the event were VWU President Nguyen Thi Tuyen, Thanh Hoa Party Secretary Nguyen Doan Anh, local leaders, and hundreds of women and union members.

President of the Vietnam Women’s Union, Nguyễn Thị Tuyến (far left) along with other delegates attending the program.

In 2025, the theme of World Environment Day is "Beat Plastic Pollution." This is the second time in three years that the United Nations has chosen this theme, reflecting the fact that we are facing one of the greatest environmental challenges in human history - white pollution - caused by plastic bags and plastic waste.

On the other hand, research by the Communication Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) shows that around 1.8 million tons of plastic waste are released into the environment in Vietnam each year, including more than 30 billion plastic bags - over 80% of which are discarded after a single use. Vietnam ranks 4^th among the top 20 countries, discharging about 0.28–0.73 million tons of plastic waste into the ocean annually, accounting for approximately 6% of the world's total marine plastic waste, causing severe consequences for ecosystems.

Member of the Party Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Women’s Union, Ms. Nguyễn Thị Tuyến, delivers a speech at the program.

In her remarks, President Tuyen emphasized that plastic pollution poses severe risks not only to the environment but also to public health, especially for women and children who are often the most vulnerable.

“Women are not only the most affected, but also bear the responsibility of protecting their families from increasing health risks caused by environmental pollution.”

She urged women members to lead by example through sustainable consumption, eliminating single-use plastics, and promoting grassroots recycling initiatives. Digital platforms, she said, should be used to amplify green lifestyles and environmental education.

Member of the Party Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Women’s Union, Nguyễn Thị Tuyến, and Member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Thanh Hóa Provincial Party Committee, Nguyễn Doãn Anh, present gifts to disadvantaged children.

During the event, VWU and Thanh Hoa authorities presented 100 financial gifts to disadvantaged children across Thanh Hoa City. The program also featured performances and public commitments to reduce plastic waste

Ms. Nguyễn Thị Tuyến, President of the Vietnam Women's Union, stated: "Women are negatively affected by environmental pollution, but at the same time, they are also positive agents and a vital force in environmental protection and climate change adaptation. In addition, women are pioneers-proactive and creative-bringing about positive changes for the community and society in many areas of social life."

Actors Việt Bắc and Thanh Hương perform a skit to raise awareness about plastic waste reduction.

VWU President, Nguyễn Thị Tuyến (center), calls on members and women to use fabric bags instead of plastic ones.

In the coming time, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union will continue to work closely with ministries, sectors, and localities to effectively implement environmental action programs. Efforts will be made to increase investment in environmental communication, digital transformation, and the development of models where women take the lead in green consumption. The Union will also propose policies and mobilize resources to support vulnerable women in accessing circular economy models and green livelihoods. Additionally, it will continue to effectively implement the Joint Communication Program on Waste Management and the Classification of Household Solid Waste for the 2024–2027 period, which was signed in 2024 by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) and the Vietnam Women's Union.