Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) Le Cong Thanh recieved Canada's Ambassador for Climate Change Catherine Steward

According to Ms. Catherine Steward, five key climate change-related issues that Canada hopes to continue promoting cooperation with Vietnam, including negotiating an agreement on plastic waste, implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), participating in the global carbon pricing mechanism proposed by Canada, biodiversity conservation, and signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the MONRE on climate-related matters.

Ms. Catherine Steward emphasized Canada's high regard for Vietnam's cooperation and efforts in undertaking joint activities to combat the climate crisis. Regarding the JETP agreement, Canada pledges to continue supporting Vietnam in implementing the plans and strategies already laid out, while also pushing the agreement into a new phase. At the same time, Canada hopes to receive Vietnam's support and coordination in the negotiation process for a global agreement on plastic waste as well as its "Global Carbon Pricing Challenge” initiative.

During working session, Ms. Catherine Steward alluded to further potential collaboration areas with Vietnam in nature conservation and biodiversity. The Canadian delegation acknowledged Vietnam's numerous high-quality conservation areas and noted that Canada has ample experience to share with Vietnam in this field.

Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh presented a memento gift to Ms. Catherine Steward

Canada hopes to promote the signing of a MOU with the MONRE on the discussed issue. Responding to Canada's Ambassador for Climate Change, Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh said that Vietnam is highly interested in the global agreement on plastic waste.

As one of the rapidly developing economies in the world, Vietnam, which classified as an open economy, is deeply concerned about global issues, including Canada's plastic initiative. The production, usage, collection, and recycling of plastic in Vietnam are vibrant due to numerous economic activities related to plastic. Therefore, Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh hopes that Canada will continue to support Vietnam in plastic-related issues, including exchanging knowledge and skills in plastic management.

Regarding the implementation of the JETP, Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh mentioned that Vietnam also aims to accelerate this process vigorously, similar to its launch. However, there are still some institutional and policy obstacles in Vietnam. Currently, Vietnam’s ministries and sectors have been tasked to amend policies to created favourable conditions for the implementation of the JETP. 

At present, the MONRE, designated as the focal agency for the JETP, is collaborating with various sponsors to push forward several pilot projects, following the directives of the Deputy Prime Minister. Through these projects, efforts are made to draw lessons to refine policies in a more effective direction. 

The Canadian delegation and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh suggested that Canada continue to support and provide knowledge and experience in areas such as mixed finance to implement public-private partnership projects and coordinate foreign investment sources for project implementation. 

The MONRE has signed cooperation agreements with several international and domestic banks to regularly exchange information related to government priorities to promote linkages supporting Vietnamese enterprises in accessing loans.

According to the Deputy Minister of the MONRE, Vietnam is implementing various measures to achieve the net-zero commitment, including the JETP, establishing the domestic carbon market, and amending Decree 06 regulating carbon credit management in Vietnam. Carbon credits and carbon markets are relatively new areas for Vietnam, so Vietnam needs international support, especially from Canada, in implementing these issues.

Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh proposed that Canada support and help Vietnam enhance its capacity so that at least one Vietnamese organization becomes a third-party verifier of carbon credits. Regarding biodiversity, Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh mentioned that the MONRE has specialized agencies for nature conservation and biodiversity, which will study proposals for cooperation in this area. Biodiversity is a matter of concern at all leadership levels, ministries, and sectors. Especially in the context of Vietnam's booming tourism industry, neglecting the conservation of nature and biodiversity may inadvertently or intentionally impact this ecosystem.