Dr. Nguyen Hung Cuong (Nguyen Ba Cuong) is the co-founder and director of the Scientific Research Institute of Sea and Islands, which is the biggest marine institute in Vietnam in terms of state-level scientific projects. Currently, they are dealing with multiple, complex sea-related issues that Vietnam has been confronting, such as the matter of delimitation of waters. He is concurrently managing partner of VNJUST Law Firm as well as a visiting lecturer at top universities in Vietnam and abroad, such as Hanoi Law University, Foreign Trade University, Thanh Dong University, Security Academy, Judicial Academy, Topica Edtech Group, Help University (Malaysia), and Thammasat University (Chiangmai, Thailand).

Dr. Nguyen Ba Cuong has been regularly consulted by agencies of the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, the U.S Embassy, the Indian Embassy, the Indonesian Embassy, the Malaysian Embassy, the Thai Embassy, and the Singaporean Embassy on issues relating to international law and the law of the sea. He is also the author of numerous remarkable and leading books, magazines, articles, and newspapers on various issues concerning law of the sea, international law, international private law, and international trade and commercial law in Vietnam. In 2013, Dr. Nguyen Ba Cuong received the award "Honor in Recognition of Action for Vietnam's Sea and Islands." 

IVLP Impact Award Project: Prevention of Marine Pollution Caused by Plastic Waste in Dong Hai Ward, Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh Province

This project provided a forum for experts, researchers, authorities, and communities to discuss how to minimize plastic waste discharge into the marine environment and limit its impact on the environment and marine ecosystems in Dong Hai ward, Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh province, Vietnam. During awareness-raising workshops and training sessions for local authorities and communities, attendees discussed topics such as the impact of plastic waste on the marine environment, examined policies and laws related to the prevention of marine environmental pollution, and shared solutions to improve the effectiveness of implementing policies and laws on plastic waste prevention. 

The project had widespread participation from all levels of government, departments, unions, and people of the province, attracting about 100 participants. Based on project surveys, there has been a positive change in the perception and action of the people of Dong Hai ward in their participation in preventing plastic waste and protecting the environment. For example, before implementing the project, 55.3% of respondents did not know about issues related to marine pollution from plastic waste, only 31.7% knew, and only 13% knew very clearly about this problem. Following the project's implementation, 76% of respondents knew about the issue, and 15% knew it very well. 

"[I hope to achieve] awareness of all classes of people, from fishermen to leaders, in Dong Hai Ward, Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh Province about marine pollution from plastic waste." - Dr. Nguyen Ba Cuong

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Dr. Nguyen Ba Cuong was a participant in the IVLP Project Promoting the International Legal Order in the South China Sea, organized by the U.S. Department of State and FHI 360.

Dr. Nguyen Ba Coung's exchange experience led to the development of his IVLP Impact Award Project: "The results and experiences relating to the implementation of law and of the sea and rules of prevention of maritime pollution in the U.S. I got from these meetings and exchanges inspired me to launch this project."

U.S. Communities Visited

San Diego, CA; Washington DC; Honolulu, HI; New York City, NY

Country: Vietnam

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