At the 18th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (AMME-18), held from September 2–4 in Langkawi, Malaysia, Vietnam was recognized with two cities and three national parks honored by ASEAN.
During the meeting, environment ministers and leaders from ASEAN member states reaffirmed their determination to strengthen regional cooperation and promote concrete actions toward a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future in the face of global environmental challenges.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh highlighted Vietnam’s significant achievements in environmental protection and climate change response. Vietnam currently ranks 51st out of 165 countries and territories in sustainable development. The country also boasts one of the highest numbers of ASEAN Heritage Parks in the region, with 12 sites recognized. Vietnam has been proactive in advancing dialogue on energy transition, carbon market development, and circular economy initiatives.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh speaks at AMME-18. Photo: VNA.Against the backdrop of intensifying climate change, natural disasters, biodiversity loss, and pollution, Vietnam called on ASEAN to take stronger, more practical action. This includes enhancing regional cooperation mechanisms, aligning national strategies with ASEAN’s common frameworks, mobilizing large-scale green finance, fostering a regional carbon market, and accelerating the shift toward a circular economy and clean energy. Vietnam also urged joint initiatives on ecosystem restoration, forest and marine conservation, and the protection of endangered species.
A key outcome of AMME-18 was the recognition of six new ASEAN Heritage Parks, bringing the total to 69. Vietnam contributed three newly designated sites: Pu Mat National Park, Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve, and Xuan Thuy National Park.
Two Vietnamese cities - Hoa Lu and Hai Phong - were honored at the 6th ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable Cities (ESC) Awards and the 5th Certificates of Recognition (COR) ceremony. Photo: VNA. At the same time, two Vietnamese cities - Hoa Lu and Hai Phong - were honored at the 6th ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable Cities (ESC) Awards and the 5th Certificates of Recognition (COR) ceremony. The awards acknowledged the cities’ outstanding efforts in promoting sustainable tourism, environmental education, and public awareness, particularly in schools.
The meetings also reviewed progress on developing the ASEAN Strategic Plan on Environment after 2025 (ASPEN) and the ASEAN Climate Change Strategic Action Plan (ACCSAP), which will serve as guiding frameworks for future regional policies and cooperative efforts.
In addition, member states agreed to convene the 21st Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP) in Vietnam in 2026, followed by the 22nd meeting in Myanmar in 2027.
The decisions and recognitions at AMME-18 reaffirm ASEAN’s collective commitment to cooperation, shared responsibility, and decisive action in addressing environmental challenges — advancing a shared vision of a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable ASEAN Community.