Vietnam wishes to cooperate with the United States in responding to climate change

On the afternoon of September 9, at the Government headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received US President's Special Envoy for Climate John Kerry, who is on a working visit to Vietnam.

Welcoming Special Envoy John Kerry back to Vietnam on the occasion of US President Joe Biden's state visit to Vietnam at the invitation of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh agreed with Mr. Kerry that the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Partnership is increasingly substantive, in-depth, and stable on the basis of respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political institutions.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highly appreciated the efforts of US President Joe Biden and Special Envoy John Kerry in implementing global efforts to raise awareness and action to respond to climate change; he wished to cooperate with the US in these areas, on the basis of suitability with Vietnam's socio-economic conditions, meeting the interests and concerns of the people of the two countries.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that Vietnam has been making efforts to achieve zero net emissions by 2050 as committed at the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26); implementing steps to implement the JETP agreement; and promulgating the VIII Power Plan, including promoting energy transition...

The Prime Minister emphasized that Vietnam has great potential in sunlight and wind to develop renewable energy; developing renewable energy is an objective requirement of Vietnam, therefore Vietnam is systematically implementing plans to develop this industry.

Vietnam is urgently perfecting institutions, including those on power sources, power loads, and electricity prices; mobilizing capital sources; promoting technology transfer and innovation; and training human resources to serve renewable energy development.

The Prime Minister asked the United States to support Vietnam in these processes to build a renewable energy industry.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that climate change is a global issue that requires global solutions, with people at the center.

Energy transition must ensure the principle of fairness. Vietnam is continuing to implement comprehensive and drastic measures to promote green growth and respond to climate change; requesting the United States to support Vietnam and mobilize organizations to support Vietnam with specific programs and projects such as preventing subsidence due to climate change in the Mekong Delta, clean energy transition, etc.

Special Envoy John Kerry thanked Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh for taking the time to receive the delegation, affirming that the United States consistently values ​​its relationship with Vietnam, supports Vietnam in playing a proactive role in the region, and responds to international issues, including climate change; and highly appreciated Vietnam's commitment to reduce net emissions to zero by 2050.

Taking note of the Prime Minister's proposals on directions for enhancing cooperation between the two countries in responding to climate change and energy transition, Special Envoy John Kerry said the United States will continue to strengthen cooperation and support developing countries, including Vietnam, in responding to climate change, especially in developing clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, smart water management and ecosystem resources.

Mr. John Kerry affirmed that as a long-time friend of Vietnam, he will support and wish to continue to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam to implement its commitments at COP26 as well as the upcoming Conferences of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change./.