Ha Noi, 17 October 2018. UNESCO announced a new partnership with Coca-Cola Vietnam and its development partners in Ha Noi with a view to reduce plastics and solid waste in Viet Nam for a “World without Waste”. Hosted in the Green One UN Building in Ha Noi, the event is a special occasion to link up all active UN agencies, government bodies and relevant development partners, private sector, local NGOs and young Vietnamese activists and students with collective actions.
During the event, representatives from UNESCO and British Council shared their new initiatives in recycling and waste management in collaboration with Coca-Cola, particularly in tackling plastics pollution from a cultural, educational, creative and artistic point of view.
The partnership between UNESCO and Coca-Cola, in conjunction with a variety of interventions in scientific research and policy development by the UN in Viet Nam, focuses on raising community awareness and encouraging creative ideas in reducing plastics and solid waste.
Within this partnership framework, UNESCO and Coca-Cola will launch the Art of Recycle Awards that will call for creative talents in developing artworks using recycled materials. The Award will be opened for all individuals or groups of Vietnamese citizens aged 15 years old and above. There are two award categories including one targeting accomplished artists and the other for students and communities. Participants are encouraged to propose ideas for artistic projects and outdoor display designs to reuse single use plastic and aluminum waste. Apart from the issuing of specific awards, the programme will provide financial support for the implementation of the best ideas, with a maximum amount of 100 million Vietnam dong.
Also in this joint commitment, UNESCO and Coca-Cola will take concrete actions at primary tourism destinations in Viet Nam, including World Heritage sites and coastal communities in practical solutions in reducing and recycling of plastics and other solid waste.
Mr. Michael Croft, Head of UNESCO Ha Noi office, highlighted the innovative approach in addressing environmental issues, 'in particular, we see the potential to make art out of waste, and to connect people through creativity and imagination. Waste might just be waste, but it might also be artistic inspirations for artists. At the same time, we harness the power of the art to tell a story, to harness its ability to provoke thought and emotion leading to action'.
Speaking at the launching event, Mr. Hiroshi Kanazawa - General Manager Coca-Cola Indochina also noted, 'every package has value and life beyond its initial use and should be collected and recycled into either a new package or another beneficial use. That is the reason why earlier this year, Coca-Cola announced its global “World Without Waste” initiative, which aims to collect and recycle 100 per cent of bottles and cans sold by 2030 through packaging innovation and recycled materials, collection system development and partnerships for positive changes. It is also very important to know that plastic waste management requires a holistic approach that we can see in the commitments and partnerships announced here today. We believe in the strong collaboration and expect to see positive impacts we can offer to local communities through these meaningful programmes'.
In tandem with the project implemented by UNESCO, Coca-Cola’s partnership with British Council drives social entrepreneurship and community engagement through the EKOCENTERs program across Vietnam in the next two years, focusing on environmental awareness and waste management, on the following terms.
Ms Donna McGowan, new Country Director of the British Council in Vietnam shared, 'The British Council is one of the leading organizations in Vietnam for the promotion and development of social entrepreneurship and we are delighted to be in this partnership with Coca-Cola, to develop creative, impactful and sustainable waste management approaches for communities across the country. We will draw on our network of Vietnamese and international partners to deliver the project, as well as from our in-depth understanding of the needs of communities across the country. We also have developed a range of approaches, methodologies and curriculums that will be adapted for the needs and contexts of the EKOCENTER and surrounding communities'.
These newly signed partnerships see a wide array of educational programs, creativity activities and contests as well as strong communications with public and authorised organisations in fostering the awareness and actions for plastic waste management. They also demonstrate for the strong commitment and collaboration between Coca-Cola and partners in tackling the challenges of Vietnam in boosting public awareness for plastic waste collection, segregation and recycling for shared value in circular economy, serving for the new positives changes in plastic waste management prospective.
For further information, please contact:
- Tran Thuy, Culture Programme Officer, UNESCO Ha Noi
tt.thuy@unesco.org - Tran Thi Hong Gam, Senior Programme Manager Education and Society Delivery Programme -
gam.tran@britishcouncil.org.vn - Vu Thanh Truc, Communications and Sustainability, Coca-Cola Indochina
vu@coca-cola.com
About UNESCO
UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in education, culture and the sciences. UNESCO’s programmes contribute to Viet Nam’s implementation of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, along with the Sustainable Development Goals.
In Viet Nam, UNESCO supports the Government to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contribute to the country’s socio-economic development, through the Organization’s areas of competence in education, the sciences, culture and communication and information.
In 2018-2019, UNESCO is focusing its efforts on the following three thematic lines of action in Viet Nam:
- Education and Science for Work and Life;
- Placing Culture at the Heart of Development; and
- Empowering Women and Youth for an Inclusive Society.
About the British Council
The British Council is the UK’s international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We work with over 100 countries in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. Last year we reached over 75 million people directly and 758 million people overall including online, broadcasts and publications. We make a positive contribution to the countries we work with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust. Founded in 1934 we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. We receive 15 per cent core funding grant from the UK government. www.britishcouncil.org
About Coca-Cola Vietnam
Coca-Cola is one of the best-known international brands in Vietnam. Coca-Cola Vietnam's factories in Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang and Ha Noi create some 4,000 direct jobs while supporting a further number of indirect jobs, which is six- to eight-time higher, through the company’s value chain. Aiming to become a comprehensive, consumer-centric beverages company, Coca-Cola has continuously invested in product innovation and provided a diversity of quality beverages products, including less-sugar and zero-sugar product lines, while diversifying packaging and expanding business coverage. The Company's portfolio in Vietnam includes Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Light, Coke Zero, Sprite, Fanta, Minute Maid Nutriboost, Minute Maid Teppy, Schweppes, Dasani and Aquarius. Since 2017, to meet the fast changing in tastes and demands of consumers, Coca-Cola Vietnam has proactively diversified its high-quality portfolio with the promotion of packaged juice and tea products like Fuzetea+ and Georgia canned RTD coffee. Coca-Cola Vietnam has considered sustainable development as the core of its business activities which include organizing safe and healthy working environment, setting priority to training employees. Several sustainable development projects were also expressed by detailed goals of energy saving, effective water use and water balance. Coca-Cola continues building sustainable communities in locations where the company operates. From 2010, Coca-Cola has invested millions of USD in community projects in Vietnam, including projects building EKOCENTER, providing clean water, empowering women and local SMEs, supporting families in hardship, and sending disaster relief. For more details, please find out more about Coca-Cola Journey Vietnam at www.cocacolavietnam.com