Viet Nam and United Kingdom Sign Memorandum of Understanding on Environment and Climate

Warmly welcoming Ms. Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom, Mr. Iain Frew, British Ambassador to Viet Nam, and the delegation to MONRE, Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh acknowledged and highly appreciated the strong cooperative relationship between the two countries, especially the UK's companionship on Vietnam's journey to achieve its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.

The Deputy Minister also expressed his sincere gratitude to the UK for its valuable support in disaster response, especially the damage caused by Typhoon Yagi in the northern provinces and cities and the severe flooding in central Viet Nam.

"The timely support of the British Government, with an emergency aid package worth £1 million, has provided us with additional resources to respond to and overcome the consequences of natural disasters. This support clearly demonstrates the strong spirit of cooperation and solidarity between the two countries. I hope that the UK can continue to support Vietnam's development in the fields of climate change and hydrometeorology - your country's strengths," the Deputy Minister expressed.

Speaking with Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh, Ms. Catherine West emphasized the importance of Viet Nam-UK cooperation in areas such as climate change, disaster forecasting and prevention. Ms. West also shared her joy and belief in the recovery and reconstruction after natural disasters in Vietnamese provinces and cities, such as Hai Phong and Quang Ninh.

Regarding the implementation of the Political Declaration establishing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh highly appreciated the UK's active support as co-chair of JETP and the £1.5 million grant for the JETP Secretariat of the Vietnamese Government, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting Vietnam's sustainable energy transition.

After COP28, MONRE, together with relevant ministries and sectors, completed the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework; assigned the implementation of policy actions and proposed priority projects to implement JETP from 2024 and is developing a report to the Prime Minister on the policy of implementing priority projects in accordance with current regulations, suitable to the interests and national security. The Prime Minister of Viet Nam is directing relevant agencies to quickly transfer the JETP Secretariat from MONRE to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. According to the Deputy Minister, in the coming time, entering the JETP implementation phase, Viet Nam and its partners need to have pilot projects, learn by doing, and if necessary, amend legal regulations to facilitate project implementation, meeting the expectations of development partners as well as Viet Nam.

Discussing the potential for cooperation between the two sides, Ms. Catherine West mentioned the issue of climate-resilient agriculture in the Mekong Delta and aquaculture. According to Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh, Viet Nam currently has an open economy and is very interested in sustainable economic development. In the Mekong Delta region, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has coordinated with ministries and sectors, including MONRE, to implement the 1 million ha high-quality, low-emission rice project. This is an effort by the Vietnamese Government when determined to shift to an agricultural sector that is more resilient to climate change. For the fisheries sector, Viet Nam is trying to reduce natural fishing and switch to more aquaculture. The Deputy Minister suggested that the UK pay more attention to these areas.

Ms. Catherine West affirmed that the UK continues to be a reliable partner accompanying Viet Nam in green development. The potential for cooperation between the two sides is wide open, based on the previous cooperation foundation such as supporting Viet Nam to join JETP, helping Viet Nam develop clean energy, green finance, digital transformation in the fields of transportation and energy. MONRE also coordinates with the UK to protect biodiversity, use natural resources sustainably. The UK also supports Viet Nam through initiatives related to low carbon energy, wildlife protection, and promoting a circular economy through recycling and waste minimization. These activities contribute to improving Vietnam's national capacity in responding to climate change and sustainable development.

*On this occasion, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Viet Nam Le Cong Thanh and Ms. Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom signed a Memorandum of Understanding on environment and climate.

The signing of the MoU is an important milestone in the cooperation between Viet Nam and the UK in the field of climate change response, environmental protection and sustainable development, with main contents on just energy transition, biodiversity conservation, and carbon markets.

Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh said that the MoU will bring practical benefits to both countries, helping Viet Nam accelerate the energy transition, protect natural resources and sustainable development, while the UK shares experiences and provides technical support.

The MoU will also contribute to the global goal of net zero emissions and the implementation of international commitments such as the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.