Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and EU-ASEAN always accompany each other in green economic development

Overview of the working session between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the delegation of the Europe-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC)

Attending the meeting, on the side of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, there were Director of the Department of Planning and Finance Dang Ngoc Diep; Director of the Department of Legal Affairs Phan Tuan Hung; Director of the Department of Climate Change Tang The Cuong; Deputy Director of the Department of Vietnam Seas and Islands Nguyen Thanh Tung; Director of the Department of Environmental Pollution Control Hoang Van Thuc; Director of the National Remote Sensing Department Tran Tuan Ngoc; Director of the Department of International Cooperation Le Ngoc Tuan; Chief of the Ministry's Office Pham Tan Tuyen; Deputy Chief of the Office of the Party Committee Nguyen Tien Duy.

On the side of the high-level delegation of the EU-ASEAN Business Council and the EU Business Association in Vietnam, there were Mr. Noel Clehane, Vice President, EU-ABC; Mr. Jean-Jacques Bouflet, Vice President of EuroCham Vietnam; Representatives of 26 EU enterprises that are operating or wishing to operate in Vietnam.

Mr. Noel Clehane, Vice Chairman, EU-ABC, Global Head of Public Policy, BDO Group

At the meeting, Minister Dang Quoc Khanh and Vice President Noel Clehane agreed to further promote business, investment and trade cooperation activities in Vietnam, contributing to the socio-economic development process, as well as the goals of environmental protection, climate change response, especially the goals that Vietnam has committed to regarding net zero emissions by 2050...

At the meeting, Vice President Noel Clehane and Vice President of EuroCham Vietnam Jean-Jacques Bouflet and some representatives of the European-ASEAN Business Council delegation hoped that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment would share and discuss issues related to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR); orientations for building a carbon market; policy orientations for renewable energy development; strategies for developing and applying space science and technology, related to automatic Earth observation satellites; amending Decree 08; National marine spatial planning for renewable energy development, blue marine economy, etc.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh

Minister Dang Quoc Khanh said that the above contents are all contents that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment hopes that member enterprises of the Council and EuroCham will support and accompany the Ministry in the coming time.

Sharing some contents that businesses are interested in, regarding EPR, the viewpoint of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is to always listen to comments to improve policy mechanisms, including regulations on EPR, to ensure a favorable and transparent business environment, remove difficulties for businesses but also create conditions for businesses to participate in recycling packaging and waste products, thereby contributing to environmental protection.

Regarding the carbon market, Vietnam prioritizes the development of the carbon market as an effective tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the future. Currently, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is coordinating with the Ministry of Finance to establish a carbon market in Vietnam. Minister Dang Quoc Khanh said that he always wants to learn from the experience of developing the carbon market in the EU's leading countries. He especially hopes that some enterprises that are members of the Council and EuroCham such as banks and international financial institutions will support and cooperate with the Ministry in the process of preparing to establish the carbon market, as well as building policy mechanisms on carbon pricing.

Currently, Vietnam has identified the application of carbon pricing tools to support the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In parallel with the roadmap for establishing and operating a domestic carbon market, the Prime Minister has also assigned relevant ministries and sectors to study and propose regulations and a roadmap for applying carbon tax in Vietnam.

Regarding renewable energy development, to serve the development of renewable energy, specifically offshore wind power, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has completed the preparation of the National Marine Spatial Plan for submission to the Government and the National Assembly for consideration and decision. The Minister said that the Plan approved by the National Assembly will be the basis for continuing to organize investigations, surveys, assessments and identify specific areas/regions for wind power development.

Regarding the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), Minister Dang Quoc Khanh welcomed the interest of member enterprises of the Council and EuroCham in participating in JETP. This is a transition process with great socio-economic impacts, requiring large financial and technological resources. For partners wishing to join Vietnam, the Minister assigned specialized units to conduct a comprehensive assessment to synthesize a report to the Prime Minister as well as the Steering Committee for timely direction.

In addition, Minister Dang Quoc Khanh also discussed tasks on the development and application of space science and technology as well as the operation of the VNREDSat-1 satellite; on the low-emission rice production project; on policies to support businesses in accessing clean energy sources; programs to promptly amend Decrees to report to the Government for early promulgation of regulations to create favorable conditions for businesses to develop...

In addition, the Minister also hopes that, through today's working session, the EU-ASEAN Business Council will propose targeted programs to support Vietnam in terms of financial resources, science and technology so that Vietnam can solve current difficulties in waste and wastewater treatment; develop a green economy; help Vietnam exploit and promote its potential and strengths in green energy, renewable energy, marine resources, etc. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is ready to provide information, exchange, dialogue and always accompany the EU-ASEAN and EuroCham in green economic development and sustainable development programs in the coming time.

Minister Dang Quoc Khanh presents souvenirs to members of the working delegation.

Vice President Noel Clehane said he was impressed with Minister Dang Quoc Khanh's message and believed that the success of EU-ASEAN and EuroCham depends on Vietnam's development of green goals, so he is ready to support Vietnam in finance, resources, policies, science and technology to build common goals of both sides.