The Sustainable Development Goals are universal goals designed to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that everyone enjoys peace and prosperity by 2030 in each members of the United Nations [1].

In September 2015, at the United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development, countries around the world adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development consists of 17 goals [1].

Indeed, Vietnam has nationalized from the global 2030 Agenda to match the country’s development conditions and priorities into a National Action Plan for Vietnam to implement the 2030 Agenda including 17 Sustainable development goals under Decision 622/QD-TTg dated May 10, 2017 and promote the implementation of sustainable development goals in sectors, levels and localities by 2030 under Resolution No. 136 /NQ-CP was issued on September 25, 2020 [2].

In which, Goal number 6 is set out with the aim to ensure adequate and sustainable management of water resources and sanitation for all, including 6 indicators [3]:

6.1. By 2030, achieve equitable and universal access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.

6.2. By 2030, reach adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene and eliminate epidemics of diarrhea, paying particular attention to the demand of women and girls and people with disabilities and to vulnerable statue; stop going to the bathroom outdoors; 100% of households have hygienic latrines

6.3. By 2030, improve water quality, control pollution sources; stop the use of toxic chemicals in industrial, agricultural and aquaculture production that pollute water sources and degrade biodiversity; 100% hazardous wastewater is treated; halve the rate of untreated urban wastewater; promote safe water reuse.

6.4. By 2030, significantly increase water efficiency in all areas, ensure a sustainable supply of clean water to solve water scarcity, and significantly reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity. To ensure that water exploitation does not exceed the exploitation limit for rivers, and does not exceed exploitable reserves for aquifers.

6.5. By 2030, implement integrated management of water resources by river basin, including transboundary water sources through international cooperation.

6.6. By 2030, protect and recover water-related ecosystems.

By 2025, the amount of endogenous surface water per capita in Vietnam will only reach 2,830 m3/person/year, lower than the world average of 4,000 m3/person/year (according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment). ) [4]. Therefore, if there are no effective policies within the next 50 years, Vietnam will face a serious water shortage problem as the drought will take place on a large scale and more and more people will have to use water. Using unsanitary water sources, which affects the health of users and leads to a series of other consequences [4].

References:

[1]  MOST (14 October 2021). “Mục tiêu phát triển bền vững của Liên Hiệp Quốc và những điều chỉnh tại Việt Nam”, Bộ Khoa học và Công nghệ, accessed 22 February 2023,<https://www.most.gov.vn/vn/tin-tuc/20811/muc-tieu-phat-trien-ben-vung-cua-lien-hiep-quoc-va-nhung-dieu-chinh-tai-viet-nam.aspx>  

[2] Cổng thông tin điện tử Bộ Công Thương (16 May 2021). “17 mục tiêu phát triển bền vững của Việt Nam”, Bộ Công Thương Việt Nam, accessed 22 February 2023, <https://moit.gov.vn/tin-tuc/tiet-kiem-nang-luong/17-muc-tieu-phat-trien-ben-vung-cua-viet-nam.html> 

[3] Thư viện pháp luật (2017). “Quyết định về việc ban hành kế hoạch hành động quốc gia thực hiện chương trình nghị sự 2030 vì sự phát triển bền vững”, Thư viện pháp luật, accessed 22 February 2023, <https://thuvienphapluat.vn/van-ban/Thuong-mai/Quyet-dinh-622-QD-TTg-2017-Ke-hoach-hanh-dong-quoc-gia-thuc-hien-Chuong-trinh-nghi-su-2030-348831.aspx> 

[4] Báo Đại biểu Nhân Dân (18 October 2021). “Tọa đàm “Tài nguyên nước và vấn đề quản lý, khai thác, sử dụng nước sạch””, Báo Đại biểu Nhân Dân, accessed 22 February 2023, <https://daibieunhandan.vn/moi-truong/Toa-dam-Tai-nguyen-nuoc-va-van-de-quan-ly-khai-thac-su-dung-nuoc-sach-i275102/>