Vietnam Responds to Climate Change Concerns at COP26

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Photo: Zing

"As one of the countries most heavily affected by climate change, Vietnam is making great efforts to both respond to climate change and develop its economy to ensure a better life for the people," this is the message that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivered at the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

At this time COP26, Vietnam brings a strong commitment in joining hands to respond to global climate change, and it is reflected in all activities of the event.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets many leaders at COP26. Video: Zing

Call for justice on climate change

Talking to the Vietnamese community in the UK, the story with the COP President on the topic of emission reduction was told by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Explaining the reason for the story, the Prime Minister pointed out the context of Vietnam being devastated and exhausted after a long time of war. In the process of development, the country lacks energy technology, lacks electricity, while hydropower exploitation is limited. Therefore, he said that it is necessary to build coal power, and the conversion of energy sources must take steps in accordance with the conditions and situation of the country, solving social security problems for workers.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that science must go first to lead, and financial resources must be a lever, promoting the transformation of the development model towards a green and circular economy. Photo: Reuters

With determination to act, speaking at COP26, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said responding to climate change and restoring nature must become the highest priority in all development decisions. Science must go first to lead and financial resources must be the lever, promoting the transformation of the development model towards a green, circular economy.

According to him, countries need to make strong commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on the basis of the principle of shared responsibility, but differentiated based on the circumstances and capacity of each country.

Never trade environment for growth

Vietnam's policy continues to be emphasized by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh when he talks with hundreds of senior leaders of foreign businesses and investors. The dialogue took place just before he was about to attend the opening session of COP26.

Green development and combating climate change are important trends mentioned by the head of the Vietnam Government.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called for fairness and justice on climate change and wished to promote international cooperation in this issue. Photo: Reuters

He said that this is a global issue, affecting all people, so it is necessary to have a global, all-people approach. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, at the same time called for fairness and justice on climate change.

"Do not sacrifice progress, social justice, do not trade off the environment to pursue growth," he said.

Listening to the messages given by Vietnam, US President Joe Biden appreciated Vietnam's participation and strong commitment. In particular, he praised Vietnam's commitment to zero net emissions, its determination to respond to climate change, reduce emissions, and transition to a green, circular economy.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Joe Biden agreed to promote the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership, including cooperation in finance and technology to solve climate issues, especially fully implementing mechanism under the Paris Agreement.

Strengthen cooperation with other countries, attract investment in Vietnam

During his visit to the UK, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with large organizations, corporations and businesses around the world. Important agreements have been established, opening up opportunities to access knowledge, technology and green finance.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh witnessed the signing and awarding ceremony of 26 cooperation agreements worth billions of USD by leading ministries, sectors and enterprises in various fields. Photo: Zing

On the first day in Edinburgh, he witnessed the signing ceremony, awarding 26 cooperation agreements of leading ministries, sectors and enterprises in the fields of commerce, agriculture, energy, etc. These agreements are worth billions of dollars, providing a great opportunity to attract investment to Vietnam.

Talking to many leaders of major global economic groups, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh pledged that Vietnam would develop a policy to mobilize financial resources, including public-private cooperation to invest in green transformation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also had a meeting with AstraZeneca Group. Vietnam has signed a commercial contract to buy more than 25 million doses of this group's Covid-19 vaccine.

AstraZeneca commits to invest VND2,000 billion (US$90 million) in supporting Vietnam to improve its pharmaceutical production capacity, giving patients better access to high-quality drugs manufactured in Vietnam.

Chief Executive Officer of AstraZeneca Pascal Soriot awarded a commitment to invest VND2,000 billion (US$90 million) to support Vietnam in its pharmaceutical production capacity. Photo: Zing

The Chief Executive Officer of AstraZeneca said that the first batch of vaccines in the newly signed agreement will be partially handed over in December this year to help Vietnam in safe adaptation to the pandemic.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a short exchange with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Video: Zing

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