Vietnam's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the UK's Department for Foreign Affairs and Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding

(TN&MT) - On the afternoon of October 24, in Hanoi, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh received and worked with Ms. Catherine West, Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Development of the United Kingdom. On this occasion, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of environment and climate.

Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh talks with Ms. Catherine West - Deputy Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Development of the United Kingdom

Welcoming Ms. Catherine West - UK Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development, Mr. Iain Frew - UK Ambassador to Vietnam and the delegation to visit the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh acknowledged and highly appreciated the close cooperation relationship between the two countries in recent times, especially the companionship of the UK on the journey to realize the commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

The Deputy Minister also expressed his gratitude to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for always providing valuable support to Vietnam in responding to natural disasters, especially the damage caused by storm Yagi in the northern provinces and cities and the severe flooding in the central region of Vietnam.

“The timely support of the British Government, with an emergency aid of £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 the UK can continue to support Vietnam in developing in the fields of climate change and hydrometeorology - areas of your country's strengths,” the Deputy Minister expressed.

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

Discussing 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 in its role as co-chair of JETP and the £1.5 million grant to the JETP Secretariat by the Vietnamese Government, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting Vietnam's sustainable energy transition.

After COP28, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, together with relevant ministries and sectors, has completed the monitoring and evaluation framework; assigned the implementation of policy actions and proposed priority projects to implement JETP from 2024 and is preparing a report to the Prime Minister on the policy of implementing priority projects in accordance with current regulations, in line with national interests and security. The Prime Minister of Vietnam is directing relevant agencies to quickly implement the process of transferring the JETP Secretariat from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. According to the Deputy Minister, in the upcoming phase of implementing JETP, Vietnam and its partners need to have pilot projects, while doing it, learn from experience and, if necessary, amend legal regulations to facilitate the implementation of projects, meeting the expectations of development partners as well as Vietnam.

Delegates attending the reception and working session

Discussing the potential for cooperation between the two sides, Ms. Catherine West mentioned the issue of climate change adaptation agriculture in the Mekong Delta and aquaculture. According to Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh, Vietnam currently has an open economy, and is interested in sustainable economic development. In the Mekong Delta region, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has coordinated with ministries and branches, including the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, to implement the Project of 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice. This is an effort of the Vietnamese Government when it is determined to transform agriculture to be more resilient to climate change. Regarding the aquaculture industry, Vietnam is trying to reduce wild fishing and shift 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 Vietnam in green development. The space for cooperation between the two sides is wide open, based on previous cooperation such as supporting Vietnam to join JETP, helping Vietnam develop clean energy, green finance, digital transformation in the fields of transport and energy. The Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment also coordinates with the UK to protect biodiversity and use natural resources sustainably. The UK also supports Vietnam through initiatives related to low-carbon energy, wildlife protection, and promoting the circular economy through recycling and waste reduction. These activities contribute to improving Vietnam's national capacity in responding to climate change and sustainable development.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Vietnam Le Cong Thanh and Ms. Catherine West - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development of the United Kingdom signed the Memorandum of Understanding

*On this occasion, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Vietnam Le Cong Thanh and Ms. Catherine West - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development of the United Kingdom signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of environment and climate.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding is an important milestone in the cooperation between Vietnam and the UK in the fields of climate change response, environmental protection and sustainable development, with key contents on just energy transition, biodiversity conservation, and carbon markets.

Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh said that the Memorandum of Understanding will bring practical benefits to both countries, helping Vietnam accelerate the energy transition, protect natural resources and develop sustainably, while the UK shares experience 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./.