Vietnam, U.S. Join Hands to Combat Climate Change

Vietnam’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the U.S.’s Department of State have made a joint announcement against global climate change, one  of the greatest challenges facing humanity. The two countries intend to work together to implement the historic Paris Agreement, their respective Nationally Determined Contributions in line with the provisions set out in the Paris Agreement, and promote the timely development of effective modalities, procedures, and guidelines for the Paris Agreement. The two sides recognize the importance of investment decisions in the next five years, particularly in the energy and land use sector, including agriculture, in shifting to a low emission economy to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, while maintaining economic growth. Accordingly, the U.S. will support Vietnam, one of countries vulnerable the most to climate change, in building resilience, reducing risk from and preparing for the impacts of climate change. To reach the goals, the two sides will work together to increase public and private investments to deploy clean, renewable, and efficient and other low greenhouse gas emissions energy sources. They, in addition, strengthen resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change in both the Mekong delta and Red River delta through regional and bilateral cooperation. The U.S. will support Vietnam to transition to a low emission economy by supporting the implementation of Vietnam’s Green Growth Action Plan and by enhancing capacity to implement low emission development strategies in the industrial manufacturing, transport, construction, and finance sectors. They also committed to contribute to regional and global efforts to transition to a low emission economy by being active members and serving in leadership positions in the Low Emission Development Strategies (LEDS) Global Partnership and Asia LEDS Platform. (www.state.gov May 22)