Ocean Accounting to support Viet Nam's blue economy

To strengthen capacity in environment-economy decision-making, ISPAE convened a national training on Ocean Accounting in Ha Noi. The event aimed to raise awareness on ocean accounting among key stakeholders and explore its possible integration into Viet Nam’s developing planning framework. The workshop gathered about 60 participants from central ministries (MONRE, MARD, GSO) as well as representatives from coastal provinces, international development partners (the World Bank, UNDP), NGOs (MCD, Viet Nam Museum of Nature, CRES, GFD, Institute of Ecology and Biographical Resources) and subject-matter experts.

The highlight of the training-workshop was the sharing of best practices on developing ocean accounts featuring examples from Maldives, Thailand, and Indonesia.The participants recognised the need for follow-up sessions. These future activities will focus on deepening relevant stakeholders’ understanding of the UN-SEEA EA, including its structure, data requirements and applications, and tools for compiling SEEA-EEA accounts.

ISPAE organised a national training workshop on ocean accounting in Ha Noi among key stakeholders to explore how ocean accounts can be best applied into Viet Nam’s planning and decision-making processes. The workshop brought together around 30 participants including representatives from key ministries (MONRE, GSO), development partners (World Bank, UNDP), non-government organisations (PanNature, Pacific Environment), and technical experts and other research institutes (ISPONRE, IMHEN, Ha Noi University of Civil Engineering, Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Viet Nam National University, National Economics University, Institute of Statistical Science, Ha Noi University of Mining and Geology).

The workshop featured the ocean accounts experience highlighting the best and suitable data sources for (i) developing solid waste accounts for Quang Ninh Province; and (ii) measuring the contribution of ocean economic industries to economic growth were shared with all participants. These sessions participants gain a clearer understanding of the structure, data requirements and applications of the SEEA-EEA framework, the basic tools used to compile these accounts.

ISPAE organised a training workshop on Ocean Accounting and Valuation of Ecosystem Services to build capacity of policy makers and technical staff in Quang Ninh Province. The workshop aimed to introduce the basic concepts of ocean accounting, explain the structure, data requirements and practical uses of the ocean account; and familiarise participants with the key tools used in compiling these accounts. It is also sought to support the application of this knowledge in the local policy making and planning process.

Around 20 participants gathered, including representatives from line Departments in Quang Ninh province, PMU of Ha Long Bay, PMU of Bai Tu Long National Park, and lecturers of Ha Long University. actively engaged in group exercises and discussions on developing ocean accounts. It also covered methods of ecosystem service valuation and participants discussed both the difficulties and challenges with applying these methods, especially in the context of payment for environmental services.

ISPAE, in collaboration with key partners, organised the Viet Nam Circular Economy Forum to (i) shape the enabling conditions for advancing circular economy in Viet Nam; (ii) showcase innovative solutions and practices for CE implementation; and (iii) highlight the role of the private sector in accelerating circular economy adoptionE. 

The forum gathered over250 in-person participants from national ministries (MONRE, MARD, MOIT, MPI), provincial DONREs from Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Thai Nguyen, international organisations and NGOs (UNDP, HSF Viet Nam, WWF Viet Nam, IUCN, USAID, GIZ, Winrock, JICA, EU), embassies (Belgium, Netherlands, and Italy), researches institutes, universities, private sectors representatives, and media agencies. The forum was held in hybrid format, with additional 180 participants joining online from other national ministries, technical experts, and 9 DONREs of provinces/cities (Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Tra Vinh, Ca Mau, Ho Chi Minh, Yen Bai, Quang Nam, Binh Dinh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau).

The forum explored various aspects of the circular economy across three thematic sessions covering the full value chain from design, consumption and production to waste collection, separation, and recycling. It provided a platform for dialogue among policy makers, beneficiaries, practitioners, national and international technical experts, private sector representatives, and professional associations. The forum emerged as an inclusive and active platform in promoting the circular economy in Viet Nam, fostering collaboration, and accelerating the shift from planning to actions.

ISPAE and the GOAP Secretariat co-hosted a regional workshop on ocean accounts to mark the culmination of the Vietnamese pilot initiative and to advance regional cooperation across south and southeast Asia. The workshop gathered over 80 participants from 10 countries, including Viet Nam, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Australia. The World Bank (WB), Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) in Vietnam, and UNDP Viet Nam also co-supported the event.

During the workshop, countries committed to advancing ocean accounts as a tool for regionally coordinated action on sustainable ocean development. They pledged to develop robust data hubs, technology platforms, knowledge-sharing mechanisms, and governance processes that align across the region. This was formalised in the Ha Long Consensus on Ocean Accounting for Sustainable Development in South and Southeast Asia (more information below).

Over 40 participants from government agencies, universities, research institutes, NGOs, and international organisations participated in a technical workshop on ocean accounts hosted by the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment (ISPAE) and the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP) Secretariat. The workshop explored the technology and innovation needed to better inform Vietnam’s ocean policies and interests, including Marine Spatial Planning, sustainable tourism and blue carbon ecosystems.

Five Ocean Accounts Fellows from Indonesia introduced practical techniques to integrate data and compile ocean accounts and shared their experiences in developing accounts.