Vietnamese children face rising climate, air pollution risks: UNICEF official

Speaking at a ceremony in Hanoi on Saturday to mark World Water Day, World Meteorological Day, and Earth Hour 2026, Danailov stressed that clean air, safe water, and a healthy environment are essential for every child’s development.

She cited the UNICEF Children's Climate Risk Index, which shows that 99.5 percent of Vietnamese children, equivalent to about 26.2 million, are impacted by climate and environmental shocks.

“These risks are directly impacting their health, learning, and daily lives,” she said.

Danailov said UNICEF is proud to partner with Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to launch a program encouraging children and youth to act for clean air and a sustainable future.

She emphasized that young people cannot fight alone, urging policymakers to listen to children’s voices and translate them into stronger policies on clean air, environmental management, and climate adaptation services such as education, water, and sanitation.

Le Cong Thanh, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment, highlighted challenges Vietnam faces in managing water resources and protecting the environment amid global climate change and socio-economic demands.

He said that pollution, ecosystem degradation, and extreme weather events like storms, heavy downpours, droughts, saltwater intrusion, and landslides, are increasing in frequency and intensity.

Thanh called for urgent action to strengthen water resource management, improve meteorological forecasting, and promote green, sustainable economic growth.

He urged agencies, organizations, and businesses to raise awareness, save energy, protect water resources, and involve women and children in water management.

He also encouraged enterprises to adopt circular economy practices, low-carbon technologies, and emission reduction strategies.

“Every citizen should start with small actions like saving water, saving electricity, reducing waste, to build a greener future for ourselves and the next generation,” Thanh said.