Putting culture into action to respond to climate change

On the evening of September 16, the French Embassy held the announcement ceremony of the 2025 Ha Long Bay-Climate Arts Festival. Deputy Foreign Minister and Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Ha Kim Ngoc attended and spoke at the announcement ceremony.

Delegates attending the announcement ceremony of the Art Festival for Climate - Ha Long Bay 2025. (Photo: Minh Nhat)

Also attending were Ambassadors, Heads of international agencies and organizations in Vietnam, and representatives of businesses. Before starting the program, delegates spent 1 minute in memory of the victims of Typhoon Yagi and floods in Vietnam and other countries.

Speaking at the announcement ceremony, French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet said that the series of Art for Climate activities will be held in 2025 in Vietnam, in one of the most beautiful natural gems on the planet - Ha Long Bay.

According to Mr. Olivier Brochet, the project will help realize a vision that is completely in line with the current issues of combining art and environmental responsibility to raise awareness about protecting the planet.

French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet speaks at the announcement ceremony. (Photo: Minh Nhat)

The location chosen for the 2025 Art for Climate series is also a very special and symbolic one. Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is not just a spectacular landscape; it is also an ecosystem threatened by climate change and human pressures, as evidenced by the damage and impacts caused by Typhoon Yagi.

“I thank my UNESCO colleagues for being here tonight and for their tireless efforts to preserve this natural wonder of the world,” said Ambassador Olivier Brochet, hoping that the participants of the event will begin to have discussions on the urgency of the climate issue and specific actions to respond to climate change.

“I am very pleased with the cooperation between France and Vietnam in this project. This is a new impetus for the relationship between the two countries, thereby contributing to further strengthening the cooperation between Vietnam and France for a sustainable future,” Mr. Olivier Brochet emphasized.

The French Ambassador affirmed that Vietnam has a rich culture and is blessed with nature, and the project's artistic approach will help awaken awareness by overcoming cultural, linguistic and geographical boundaries.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Ha Kim Ngoc shared that recently, people have witnessed extreme climate conditions. Typhoon Yagi - the biggest storm to hit Vietnam in the past 3 decades, left devastating consequences, causing human and property losses, seriously affecting people's lives.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Ha Kim Ngoc speaks at the announcement ceremony. (Photo: Minh Nhat)

Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc thanked the countries and international organizations for their support in joining hands with Vietnam in efforts to alleviate the pain and losses of the people.

The challenges of climate change, with their increasing frequency and scale, threaten all aspects of life, affecting the improvement of living standards and promoting progress. “If solutions cannot be found to cope with the challenges of climate change, humanity’s achievements may be set back,” the Deputy Minister said.

The Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO said, “Our responsibility is to ensure that humanity lives in harmony with nature, while working together to conserve, protect, and sustainably use natural resources and the Earth's ecosystem.

According to Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc, to achieve these efforts, it requires joint international cooperation, participation and close coordination of all levels, sectors, organizations and individuals.

Emphasizing that culture is the driving force that shapes human life, no matter where it is, Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc said that culture has a special power, transcends all borders and can arouse emotions and thoughts, thereby helping to promote actions to preserve and protect the Earth.

However, culture is currently not being promoted in climate change action programmes, which is something that all parties need to change.

The Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO affirmed that there is a need for cooperation in responding to climate change from a cultural perspective, placing culture at the center of action to respond to climate change. With that meaning, UNESCO is currently promoting and making efforts to put culture and heritage on the agenda in responding to climate change for a peaceful, prosperous, low-emission and sustainable future.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc informed that Vietnam is currently cooperating closely with UNESCO in promoting cultural values ​​and building culture into a pillar in responding to climate change.

The bowl was auctioned at the program. (Photo: Minh Nhat)

“There needs to be solutions and creativity to help connect all components of society and all sectors in this common effort. This festival is an important initiative to promote local solutions to global issues. This is also one of the meaningful programs for Vietnam. Vietnam is committed to working closely with UNESCO and relevant parties to promote this effort in the upcoming agenda," said Deputy Minister Ha Kim Ngoc.

At the ceremony, the Organizing Committee held a charity auction of a blue and white Bat Tien patterned bowl from the Qing Dynasty. All proceeds from the auction will be sent to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee to support people affected by Typhoon Yagi.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dua-van-hoa-vao-hanh-dong-ung-pho-voi-bien-doi-khi-hau-286617.html