Ha Long, January 7, 2022 - The Viet Nam Administration of Seas and Islands of Vietnam (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the Farmers' Association of Quang Ninh Province to launch EPPIC store - showcasing innovative products and services to reduce plastic pollution. It is an activity to introduce these innovations to the local people in Ha Long City and help change their awareness and behavior in reducing the use of single-use plastic products.

Attending the launching ceremony were Mr. Patrick Haverman, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Viet Nam; Mr. Luu Anh Duc, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Science and Technology, Viet Nam Administrations of Seas and Islands (VASI); Ms. Pham Thuy Duong, Deputy Head of the Propaganda Department, Quang Ninh's Provincial Party Committee; together with representatives of the Department of Mass Mobilization, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Women's Union, networks of communal co-operative, and businesses.

EPPIC Shop is located at No. 2, Lot 2, Hong Ha Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province. The displayed products are from Galaxy Biotech with their Breathable Bag product, Refill with their Refilling Model, GreenJoy with their Grass Straw, mGreen and GreenPoints with their reward point redemption app, and a few other local projects and products. These products were in the Top 14 of the ASEAN-wide competition "Ending Plastic Pollution Innovation Challenge" (EPPIC) to tackle plastic waste in Ha Long Bay (Viet Nam) and Samui Island (Thailand). This competition is organized by UNDP, VASI, MONRE with the support of the Government of Norway.

At the opening ceremony, Mr. Patrick Haverman, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Viet Nam highlighted, "By taking joined-up action through EPPIC, Vietnam and other ASEAN countries have the opportunity to shift and transform from being among the largest plastic polluters globally, to being leading drivers for innovation to combat plastic waste and pollution."

Mr. Luu Anh Duc, Deputy Director of International Cooperation Department, VASI, said, "We hope EPPIC Shop will be a place not only to display products to help protect the environment but also to serve as a dynamic and vibrant forum, attract individuals, businesses and organizations who are interested in environmental issues and plastic waste, contribute to promoting the country's sustainable development."

Ms. Pham Thuy Duong, Deputy Head of the Propaganda Department, Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee, hopes that these innovative solutions and ideas won high prizes in the EPPIC project will continue to be developed, reach many people, spread the message, and ignite the changes in the community's awareness and actions to protect the environment and combat plastic waste.

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Phan Huong Giang
Media and Communication Analyst, Climate Change and Environment
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Email: phan.huong.giang@undp.org ; Mob: 0948466688