Vietnam Environmental Incident Response Center and National Action Center for overcoming the consequences of toxic chemicals and the environment signed a cooperation agreement in the field of environment and incident response.

On the morning of February 14, 2025 in Hanoi, the signing ceremony of the cooperation agreement between the National Action Center for Chemical and Environmental Remediation (NACCET) and the Vietnam Environmental Incident Response Center (Environmental SOS) took place successfully, marking the cooperation and many proactive solutions in the journey of environmental protection along with activities to overcome the consequences of environmental incidents. This is a comprehensive cooperation, opening up many sustainable activities in the future and will be a pioneer in providing proactive solutions to protect the environment and overcome the consequences of chemical incidents.

Việt Nam•15/02/2025

Collaboration from a sustainable foundation

Signing ceremony of cooperation between the National Action Center for overcoming the consequences of chemical and environmental toxins (NACCET) and the Vietnam Environmental Incident Response Center (Environmental SOS)

With the complex developments of climate change and its increasingly clear impacts on the environment, Vietnam has proactively developed many response plans to be ready for all possible situations. Previously, the National Action Center for Chemical and Environmental Remediation (NACCET), under the Ministry of National Defense and managed by the Chemical Command, has closely coordinated with the Vietnam Environmental Incident Response Center (Environmental SOS) in research, training and exercises. This cooperation creates an important foundation for improving the capacity to respond to and overcome environmental incidents.

At the signing ceremony, Mr. Phung Khac Huy Chu - Permanent Deputy General Director of NACCET said: "Today's signing ceremony is an important milestone in promoting cooperation between the two units, aiming to improve the effectiveness of responding to environmental incidents. In the face of increasing challenges from pollution, oil spills, toxic chemicals and long-term impacts of toxic chemicals, close coordination between the National Action Center for Overcoming Consequences of Toxic Chemicals and the Environment and the Vietnam Environmental Incident Response Center is extremely necessary. Through this cooperation agreement, we hope to maximize the strengths of each side, from training, exercises, scientific research to practical response deployment. Proactiveness and readiness to coordinate will help us respond promptly and minimize damage in the most effective way."

Mr. Pham Van Son, Director of the SOS Environmental Center, shared: "The cooperation between the two units today is an important step forward, not only stopping at exchanging information or coordinating expertise but also aiming at practical and specific actions in environmental protection. I believe that, with the core role of NACCET and the cooperation between the two sides, we will act together, turning cooperation agreements into concrete evidence, contributing to minimizing the impact of environmental incidents, protecting the safety of people and the ecosystem."

The cooperation between NACCET and the Environmental SOS Center is established on the basis of exploiting existing potentials and promoting the advantages of each party in the environmental field. The event is a bridge to help the two units promote the development of scientific research, production and practical rescue.

The National Action Center for Overcoming the Consequences of Toxic Chemicals and the Environment (NACCET) was established by the Prime Minister, under the direct direction of the Ministry of National Defense and the Chemical Command, with the task of researching, evaluating and implementing activities to overcome the consequences of toxic chemicals, especially Agent Orange/dioxin remaining after the war. The Center is also assigned to carry out the tasks of investigating, handling, overcoming and responding to toxic chemical and radiological incidents, cross-border incidents and ensuring environmental security.

Vietnam Environmental Incident Response Center (Environmental SOS) is a specialized unit in the field of environmental incident response and handling, including oil spills, toxic chemicals and environmental pollution through a network of 100 permanent response stations nationwide to respond quickly, respond promptly and effectively to situations, and minimize the negative impacts of environmental incidents on humans and the ecosystem.

Be proactive in environmental protection and response to and remediation of environmental incidents.

When many environmental incidents occur, we often focus on overcoming the consequences. A typical example is the fire at the Rang Dong Light Bulb and Thermos Factory, which was handled by the Chemical Command, leaving behind many valuable experiences and lessons. The Vietnam Environmental Incident Response Center (Environmental SOS) has participated in handling nearly 300 incidents, including the Song Da clean water incident, with many notable stories in response work.

Facing environmental problems that can happen anywhere, anytime, being proactive is always necessary and important. Lieutenant Colonel Phung Khac Huy Chu - Permanent Deputy General Director of NACCET shared: “ Having gone through many journeys facing dangerous environmental incidents across the country, soldiers of the Chemical Command have gained valuable experience. Each incident has its own characteristics, even when the cause or chemicals involved are the same. Handling must be based on location, scale and many other factors, so being proactive is always the key factor. We expect that the strategic cooperation between NACCET and the Vietnam Environmental Incident Response Center (Environmental SOS) will bring high efficiency, especially in research and application of practical experience. Being proactive in responding and overcoming consequences will help improve the capacity to handle environmental incidents comprehensively”.

Members of the National Action Center for Overcoming Consequences of Chemical and Environmental Toxic Substances (NACCET) and the Vietnam Environmental Incident Response Center (Environmental SOS) at the signing ceremony

Mr. Pham Van Son - Director of SOS Environment Center shared: “ With experience in responding to environmental incidents across regions, the yellow-shirt soldiers of the Vietnam Environmental Incident Response Center (SOS Environment) are always ready to go regardless of day or night. There are times when we forget to eat or lose sleep, but the most important thing is to handle the incident promptly. We consider it an order from the bottom of our hearts and always strictly implement it. Through the long journey across the country and now expanding international cooperation, we have further affirmed that proactiveness is the decisive factor for success in responding to and overcoming environmental incidents. We hope that the cooperation with NACCET will promote proactive solutions, helping to minimize the consequences of environmental and chemical incidents. Looking to the future, the goal is not only to protect the environment but also to limit the long-term impact on nature and future generations”.

From a macro perspective, the signing ceremony of the strategic cooperation agreement between NACCET and SOS Environment not only opens a turning point in the development strategy of both sides but also serves as an important foundation for Vietnam's environmental protection journey in the current period of global economic integration.