Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha (R) and British Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Therese Coffey at their meeting in Hanoi on April 12 (Photo: VNA) Deputy PM Ha appreciated assistancefrom the UK and other G7 countries joining the Just Energy TransitionPartnership (JETP) for Vietnam to realise the commitments made at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).
He highly valued the cooperation inmultiple fields between the British Department for Environment, Food and RuralAffairs and agencies of the Vietnamese Government, noting that in recent years,the two sides have promoted ties related to global solutions such as implementingmeasures for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to climate change,conserving biodiversity and forest, building smart cities, protectinglandscapes, shifting crop structures, minimising food losses, and developinge-commerce platforms.
Ha called on the British Governmentto assist Vietnam to make comprehensive assessment of impacts of energy transition,carry out greenhouse gas emission reduction measures, adapt to climate change,and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Voicing Vietnam’s support for the target of protecting at least 30% of theglobal ocean by 2030, the Deputy PM said this target requires strong cooperationand new conservation methodology and mindset of all countries.
He asked the two countries to enhance collaboration to seek ways for developingtheir economies in tandem with recovering ecosystems and conservingbiodiversity so as to obtain sustainable development.
In terms of energy transition, hesuggested the UK help Vietnam boost researching and developing renewable energyprojects, especially offshore ones, to replace coal-fueled thermal powerplants, while giving technological support for operating the national energysystem when the rate of wind and solar energy is increasing.
Besides, the host expressed his hope that the UK will activelytransfer scientific and technological advances to help Vietnam developagriculture sustainably. He also called for favourable conditions for agriculturaland fishery products to access each other’s markets.
At the meeting, Coffey thanked Vietnam for supporting the UK’s participation inthe Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
She affirmed that her country is readyto cooperate with and assist Vietnam to deal with challenges so as to soonachieve net zero emissions as committed at COP26.
TheSecretary of State noted the UK’s willingness to share its approach toresources in economic development and cooperate with Vietnam within the globalbiodiversity framework and other spheres.
Applauding the Southeast Asiancountry’s efforts against illegal wildlife trade, she said the UK is also readyto work with Vietnam in this field to raise public awareness of the wildlife’simportance to the environment.
Regarding the two countries’ memorandumof understanding on cooperation in the biodiversity fund, Coffey said shehopes both sides will continue supporting each other to reduce biodiversityloss, mitigate climate change impacts at the local and trans-boundary levels,and realise international commitments./.
VNA
