On June 26, Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Do Duc Duy had a meeting and worked with Mr. Iain Frew, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom to Viet Nam.
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Do Duc Duy had a meeting and worked with Mr. Iain Frew, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom to Viet NamAt the meeting, Minister Do Duc Duy thanked Ambassador Iain Frew in particular and the UK for their deep affection for Viet Nam. The Minister acknowledged that the UK has always provided Viet Nam with valuable support in responding to natural disasters, especially the damage caused by Typhoon Yagi and the severe flooding in Central Viet Nam.
The timely support of the UK Government, with an emergency aid of £1 million, has provided Viet Nam 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.
Speaking with Minister Do Duc Duy, Ambassador Iain Frew shared about the losses caused by natural disasters in Viet Nam in recent times, and expressed his admiration for the efforts of the Government and localities in overcoming the consequences and rebuilding life after natural disasters, especially the spirit of mutual love of the Viet Namese people.
With the huge impact of extreme climate change leading to many natural disasters in the coming time, the UK therefore proposed that there will be more cooperation programs between the two countries, including the proposal to sign a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of environment and climate between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Viet Nam and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development of the UK. Ambassador Iain Frew believes that the Memorandum of Understanding will be a strategic basis for the two sides to continue implementing effective cooperation programs in the coming time.
Minister Do Duc Duy talks with Ambassador Iain Frew and leaders of the British Embassy in Viet Nam
Minister Do Duc Duy said that this is a milestone in the cooperation between Viet Nam and the UK in the fields of climate change response, environmental protection and sustainable development, with main contents on equitable energy transition, biodiversity conservation, and carbon markets.
Minister Do Duc Duy pointed out that the MoU will bring practical benefits to both countries, helping Viet Nam accelerate the energy transition, protect natural resources and develop sustainably, while the UK shares experience and provides technical support. And of course, 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.
The two sides agreed to organize the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding during the visit of the UK's Deputy Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Development at the end of October.
Also at the meeting, Minister Do Duc Duy and Ambassador Iain Frew discussed issues of mutual interest in the field of carbon markets; Viet Nam's priorities at the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) and the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29); the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), including the active support of the United Kingdom as co-chair of JETP and a £1.5 million grant to the JETP Secretariat led by the Viet Namese Government. This demonstrates the strong commitment of both sides to supporting Viet Nam in its sustainable energy transition…
Ambassador Iain Frew said that Viet Nam has great advantages in natural resources as well as strong commitment of the Government, consensus and high determination of political institutions at all levels..., therefore, more specific projects are needed to turn commitments into actions and effective products. With the effective cooperation relationship in recent times between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in particular and Viet Nam in general, Ambassador Iain Frew said that the UK and the British Embassy will always be ready to further strengthen cooperation in the coming time.
Overview of the reception and working session on September 26
We would like to express our sincere thanks to the Ambassador and the British Government for their interest and support for Viet Nam's environmental and climate initiatives. Minister Do Duc Duy believes that the strategic partnership between the two countries will be further strengthened, especially in the context of the world facing serious challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment looks forward to continuing to work closely with the British Embassy and partners in the coming time to jointly address these global issues.