14.3.1. Conservation and sustainable utilisation of the oceans
Support or organise events aimed to promote conservation and sustainable utilisation of the oceans, seas, lakes, rivers and marine resources
UEH promotes the conservation and sustainable utilisation of marine, river and lake resources through scientific events, innovation and community action in 2025
University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) organises, co-organises and supports events promoting the conservation and sustainable utilisation of oceans, seas, lakes, rivers and marine resources. Through international conferences, design competitions, environmental education and community activities, UEH connects scientific knowledge and innovation with the protection of aquatic ecosystems and responsible resource use.
In 2025, UEH co-organised two major events in Khanh Hoa on 1 October: the international conference “Ocean Futures 2025 – Smart Technologies and Sustainable Coastal Living” and the award ceremony of the Fourth International Design Competition focusing on the Cai River urban landscape. These events encouraged dialogue on the sustainable ocean economy, marine spatial planning, ecosystem restoration and river landscape conservation.
The “Together We Move Green” community activity at UEH Day 2025 in Nha Trang also promoted plastic waste reduction and marine environmental protection among residents and visitors. Throughout the year, UEH Green Campus programmes continued providing environmental education, communication and experiential learning about protecting water resources, reducing river and lake pollution and using water sustainably.
- Description of activities
UEH organises and supports events to advance the conservation and sustainable utilisation of oceans, seas, lakes, rivers and marine resources.
In 2025, activities took several forms:
- Scientific conferences and international forums: Exchange of approaches to the sustainable ocean economy, marine technologies, resource governance and coastal ecosystem conservation.
- Innovation and design competitions: Proposals for river landscape conservation, ecosystem restoration and sustainable waterfront development.
- Community events: Communication on plastic waste reduction, green lifestyles and marine environmental protection.
- Environmental education programmes: Workshops, experiential games and campaigns on water protection and reducing pollution in rivers, lakes and seas.
Through these events, UEH connects research, innovation and community action to encourage conservation and responsible use of aquatic resources.
- Objectives and participants
Objectives: To raise awareness and encourage action on the conservation and sustainable utilisation of marine, river and lake resources; reduce water pollution; protect aquatic ecosystems; and strengthen cooperation among universities, local authorities, businesses and communities.
Participants: Scientists, experts, lecturers and students from Vietnam and abroad; representatives of public agencies, businesses and partner organisations; and residents, visitors and local communities where events take place.
- Internal commitments and supporting policies
UEH’s environmental protection and sustainable event management activities are guided by the Green Campus Regulations issued under Decision No. 2059/QD-DHKT-CSVC (2022) and published on the UEH Green Campus website.
Source: UEH Green Campus Regulations.
https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/quy-dinh-thuc-hanh-dai-hoc-xanh
| Provision | Policy content | Relevance to indicator 14.3.1 | Supporting image |
| Article 12(1) – UEH responsibilities | UEH implements and continually evaluates the Green Campus initiative during 2023–2025 across education, research, operations, governance and community engagement, providing a basis for 2026–2030. | Institutional framework for educational, research and community sustainability activities. |  |
| Article 13(7) – Responsibilities of UEH units | The Vietnamese evidence describes local community cooperation to maintain aquatic ecosystems, including training and knowledge transfer on fisheries, aquaculture and sustainable tourism, and records of programme outcomes. Exact clause wording requires verification. | Supports activities related to aquatic ecosystem conservation and sustainable use. |  |
| Article 18(1–4) – Event and festival organisers | Waste sorting at source; avoiding free distribution of hard-to-degrade plastic packaging; reusable drink and snack containers; environmental monitoring before, during and after events. | Supports reduced waste, single-use plastics and responsible resource use in conferences, competitions and community events. |  |
Applying Green Campus principles helps UEH organise academic, educational and community events with attention to environmental impacts. In particular, Article 18 provides a basis for reducing plastic waste and promoting responsible resource use in event organisation.
- Evidence of events held in 2025
In 2025, UEH organised, co-organised and supported events addressing marine resource conservation, sustainable use, river landscapes and aquatic environmental protection.
4.1. Scientific events, innovation and conservation of marine and river resources
| No. | Programme / project | Format / category | Summary of activities and outcomes | Image / caption | Evidence source / link | SDG contributions |
| 1 | Ocean Futures 2025 – Smart Technologies and Sustainable Coastal Living (1 October 2025, Khanh Hoa) | International conference; scientific dialogue; local government cooperation | On 1 October 2025, UEH, through the Institute of Smart City and Management (ISCM), collaborated with the Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee to organise Ocean Futures 2025 at Champa Island Nha Trang. The conference convened authorities, researchers, experts and domestic and international partners to discuss the sustainable ocean economy, marine governance and relationships between coastal landscapes and communities. Sessions included Dr Ho Quoc Thong’s “Marine Spatial Planning: International Experiences and Lessons for Vietnam”, international experts’ “Sharing Water Environments, Sharing Futures”, marine technologies, conservation, coastal circular economies and sustainable community development. Outcome: a specialised international forum linking research, policy dialogue and approaches to balancing marine economic activity with coastal ecosystem protection. | 
Conference overview and discussion on the sustainable ocean economy. |
https://ueh.edu.vn/khoa-hoc/hoi-thao-tuong-lai-dai-duong-2025-tai-khanh-hoa-cong-nghe-thong-minh-va-cuoc-song-ven-bien-ben-vung-74916 | SDG 9, 11, 13, 14, 17 |
| 2 | Fourth International Design Competition – Sustainable Economic and Cultural Development through the Cai River Urban Landscape, Khanh Hoa (2025) | International design competition; exhibition; river landscape development | In 2025, UEH, through ISCM and UEH Nexus Campus Nha Trang, collaborated with Khanh Hoa authorities on the fourth international design competition. Launched in March, it attracted over 500 registrants in 160 teams from 25 countries. On 1 October, the awards announced 15 outstanding proposals covering ecological restoration, river landscape conservation, climate resilience and public spaces. The winning “Nha Trang Elasticity” proposal incorporated green infrastructure, ecosystem reconnection, wetland restoration, biodiversity and an ecotourism route supporting community interests. Outcome: completed international competition and published designs providing reference ideas for future local waterfront planning; proposals are not evidence of completed physical restoration. | 
Awards ceremony, design exhibition and Nha Trang Elasticity proposal. |
https://www.ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/le-trao-giai-cuoc-thi-thiet-ke-quoc-te-lan-4-cong-bo-nhung-y-tuong-phat-trien-ben-vung-tu-dong-chay-song-cai-khanh-hoa-74926
https://www.ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/cuoc-thi-thiet-ke-quoc-te-lan-4-cung-duong-di-san-ven-song-cai-tinh-khanh-hoa-5-du-an-thiet-ke-xuat-sac-khang-dinh-lai-vai-tro-cua-song-cai-trong-tuong-lai%C2%A0-75066 |
SDG 9, 11, 13, 14, 17 |
| 3 | UEH Day 2025 – Together We Move Green: Plastic Reduction and Marine Protection (24 July 2025, Nha Trang) | Community event; marine environmental communication; plastic waste reduction | On 24 July 2025, as part of UEH Day 2025 in Khanh Hoa with nearly 900 UEH academic and administrative staff, the university organised “Together We Move Green” at 2 April Square in Nha Trang. Activities included a “Zero Waste” flashmob, messages encouraging plastic reduction and distribution of reusable fabric bags to residents and visitors. Outcome: direct public communication in a coastal city encouraging reduced single-use plastics and responsible behaviour toward the marine environment. | 
Zero Waste flashmob and reusable bag distribution at 2 April Square, Nha Trang. |
https://ueh.edu.vn/cuoc-song-ueh/tin-tuc/ueh-day-2025-ngay-1-hanh-trinh-truyen-cam-hung-vi-cong-dong-moi-truong-va-xa-hoi-cua-900-uehers-tai-khanh-hoa-74506 | SDG 11, 12, 13, 14, 17 |
4.2. Environmental education, communication and experiential events on water protection in 2025
- “Protect Water, Nurture Life”, September 2025: Communication and experiential learning games.
The UEH Faculty of Law and the 43–45 Nguyen Chi Thanh Student Dormitory organised an online challenge on 22–28 September 2025 and interactive booths on 29–30 September at Campus B. The “Clean the River” simulation taught participants about pollution, waste sorting and water resource protection.
Students taking part in the “Clean the River” activity.
Source: UEH Green Campus, 1 October 2025.
- “Save Water, Save Future”, October–November 2025: Environmental education campaign with online and on-campus communication.
The UEH Social Work Team organised online communication from 30 October to 6 November 2025 and in-person activities on 5–6 November at the B1 lobby, 279 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street. Experiential stations helped participants understand pollution impacts, explore the protection of rivers, lakes and oceans, and propose ways to safeguard water resources.
Interactive booths and participants learning about water pollution.
Source: UEH Green Campus, 7 November 2025.
https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/su-kien/save-water-save-future-chuoi-hoat-dong-ueh-green-campus-2025
- “The Blue’s Call – Tide of Awareness & Answer the Call”, 2025: Online communication and experiential workshop.
The UEH Student Support Group organised online communication about the value of water resources, pollution and conservation, together with an “Answer the Call” workshop at English Zone exploring clean-water protection, the textile industry’s environmental impacts and material reuse.
Workshop participants and products created from fabric offcuts.
Source: UEH Green Campus, 5 December 2025.
4.3. Expert exchange and research dissemination supporting the events
In addition to these events, UEH publicly disseminated research and expert perspectives on the governance, conservation and sustainable development of marine resources, extending access to knowledge among academic and stakeholder communities.
- Activity 1. “The Role of Technology in Marine Economic Development: International Experiences”
During Ocean Futures 2025, experts exchanged international perspectives on the role of science, technology and innovation in the marine economy. Discussions emphasised technologies that can improve resource governance, support marine economic activities and contribute to ecological conservation.
UEH further disseminated the topic through a Research Contribution article published on 9 November 2025, extending access to the conference’s content.
Podcast: The Role of Technology in Marine Economic Development – International Experiences.
- Activity 2. “Co-innovation for a Sustainable Ocean Economy”
A session at Ocean Futures 2025 explored multistakeholder cooperation, inclusive governance, the circular economy, green finance and community-oriented development models.
It highlighted the importance of collaboration among governments, researchers, businesses and communities in developing the ocean economy while protecting the environment and using marine resources responsibly.
Podcast: Co-innovation for a Sustainable Ocean Economy.
- Activity 3. Academic exchange and sustainable ocean economy research with partners in the Netherlands
During a visit to the Netherlands on 13–18 October 2025, a UEH delegation participated in multidisciplinary academic and research exchanges with international partners, including topics related to the sustainable ocean economy.
Meetings and site visits covering fisheries, technology, seafood value chains and marine economic development strengthened research cooperation and shared international experience in responsible marine resource use. These exchanges complemented UEH’s wider work on sustainable ocean economy knowledge and partnerships.
Erasmus University Rotterdam welcomes the UEH delegation.
The sessions on marine technologies, co-innovation and marine spatial planning were components of the Ocean Futures 2025 conference. Subsequent Research Contribution articles and international exchanges expanded access to relevant research but should not be counted as separate conservation events where they simply report on the same conference.
- Conclusion
In 2025, UEH organised, co-organised and supported events promoting the conservation and sustainable utilisation of oceans, seas, rivers, lakes and marine resources through scientific exchange, innovation, environmental communication and community engagement.
Two major events took place in Khanh Hoa on 1 October 2025: Ocean Futures 2025 and the award ceremony of the Fourth International Design Competition focusing on the Cai River landscape. The conference provided a forum for marine spatial planning, responsible resource use and sustainable ocean economy development. The competition announced 15 design proposals, including ideas for wetland restoration, ecological reconnection, biodiversity enhancement and climate-resilient river landscapes.
At community level, “Together We Move Green” at UEH Day 2025 in Nha Trang promoted plastic reduction, marine environmental protection and reusable products through direct engagement with residents and visitors. The “Protect Water, Nurture Life”, “Save Water, Save Future” and “The Blue’s Call” programmes also encouraged water protection awareness and action among UEH learners.
Supported by the Green Campus Regulations, these activities connected research, innovation, education and community engagement. They demonstrate UEH’s role in convening and supporting events relevant to the conservation and sustainable utilisation of marine and freshwater resources and to SDG 14 – Life Below Water.