(VOVWORLD) - Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivered remarks at the online international Climate Adaptation Summit (CAS) 2021 hosted by the Netherlands on Monday and Tuesday. The summit was attended by more than 30 world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. It saw the launch of a comprehensive Adaptation Action Agenda, setting out clear commitments to deliver concrete new endeavours and partnerships to make the world more resilient to the effects of climate change. Below is the full text of PM Phuc’s remarks.
 Vietnamese PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc. |
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Earth, our shared home, is experiencing fierce tremors due to the severe impacts of climate change, putting the development and survival of various peoples and countries at risk. Such challenge has become an even greater burden, as the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermaths have diverted resources from climate action efforts.
Today’s Summit is of great significance, as we join hands and march into the new decade for Earth – our beloved home, with a strong resolution, novel initiatives, and greater actions to advance climate adaptation, thereby contributing to the achievement of the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Ladies and gentlemen,
According to the World Bank, Vietnam is one of the countries worst affected by climate change. The coastal areas and river deltas of Vietnam, especially the Mekong Delta in the South, regularly come under the devastating impact of rising sea level, saline intrusion and other climate-related hazards – typhoons, tropical depression, floods and droughts, to name a few. The mountainous areas are very often hit by flash floods and landslides, occurring at much greater frequency.
In response to climate change, apart from restructuring its economy towards a low-carbon model and reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, Vietnam pledges to strengthen the resilience and adaptation of communities, economic stakeholders and the ecosystem. We will step up disaster risk reduction and mitigation of climate-related damage. Climate adaptation will be further mainstreamed into our national strategies and planning. We will also invest more in human resources, scientific research, and development and application of advanced technologies.
The Vietnamese Government considers the efforts of Vietnam’s entire population, and of each individual, the foundation for successfully implementing its climate adaptation programs and activities.
Despite such efforts, our economy may only meet around 30% of our climate adaptation demand, and Vietnam needs an additional $35 billion between 2021 and 2030. Let me take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to the international community, and I look forward to your continued cooperation and support for our climate adaptation programs.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The challenges of climate change will continue to multiply and become much harder to manage should we fail to take urgent actions to strengthen climate adaptation. Accordingly, I believe that:
First, we should bolster the adaptation of communities, the participation of the people, and the resilience of all industries and sectors against the adverse impacts of climate change.
Second, climate adaptation should go hand-in-hand with sustainable development, gender equality, and poverty eradication, with no one being left behind.
Third, greater financial and technological support should be provided to developing countries in climate adaptation.
Fourth, we should promote multi-stakeholder partnerships for climate adaptation, and engage businesses, scientists, communities and non-governmental organizations in climate adaptation activities.
Vietnam will continue our active participation in international efforts to combat climate change, so as to transform climate-induced “challenges” into “opportunities” for the sustainable development for all.
Thank you.