SNV has collaborated with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on the proposal for the project "Climate Change Adaptation Solutions Based on Nature in Agriculture through Private Sector Transformation in Vietnam." This initiative is seen as a promising start for future cooperation between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and SNV. Minister Đặng Quốc Khánh also suggested that SNV put forward proposals for mobilizing resources from financial institutions and climate funds established by the Netherlands to implement collaborative activities aligned with the priorities of both countries. This signifies a commitment to leveraging financial support and resources to address climate change challenges and promote sustainable development in Vietnam.

Minister Đặng Quốc Khánh and Mr. Chris Leeds, Global Head of Carbon Market Development at Standard Chartered Bank

Mr. Chris Leeds expressed readiness to collaborate and support the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in developing the domestic carbon market and connecting with international efforts to mobilize resources for climate change adaptation activities. This affirmation was made during their meeting within the framework of the COP28 conference.

With a shared goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, Minister Đặng Quốc Khánh and Director Chris Leeds agreed on various areas of cooperation between the Ministry and Standard Chartered Bank in the near future. Minister Dang Quoc Khanh expressed confidence that, with the experience of a financially strong institution, Standard Chartered Bank would collaborate in developing the carbon market in Vietnam.

Minister Đặng Quốc Khánh, Mr. Chris Leeds and the delegation from Standard Chartered Bank

Currently, Standard Chartered Bank has established connections with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Voluntary Carbon Exchange (CIX) to explore the development of a suitable trading platform for Vietnam and share practical experiences in building a carbon market framework. Minister Đặng Quốc Khánh proposed that in the coming time, Mr. Chris Leeds personally and Standard Chartered Bank as an institution continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in the construction and management of the carbon credit exchange. Additionally, there was a suggestion to invest in connecting the carbon credit exchange with similar platforms in the region and globally. This collaboration aims to contribute to the effective operation and growth of the carbon market in Vietnam.

During the meeting with Ms. Kitty Bu, Vice President for Asia at the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), Minister Đặng Quốc Khánh proposed that GEAPP, with its experience in collaboration with South Africa and Indonesia, continue to support Vietnam in mobilizing resources for energy transition, leveraging Vietnam's advantages in this field. The minister expressed the hope that GEAPP, along with funds such as the Bezos Earth Fund and Rockefeller, would support specific projects related to greenhouse gas emission reduction and equitable energy transition in Vietnam. In February 2023, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and GEAPP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), laying the foundation for collaboration on activities related to implementing JETP and developing the carbon credit market.

Commitment to financial investment

During the meeting with the Directors of the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), including Ms. Tanya Steele, CEO of WWF UK; Ms. Marcene Mitchell, Senior Vice President for Climate Change at WWF US; Mr. Ajs Dam, Senior Director of Corporate Partnerships at WWF Denmark; and Mr. Văn Ngọc Thịnh, CEO of WWF Vietnam, Minister Đặng Quốc Khánh expressed appreciation for the support provided by WWF to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. He acknowledged the various projects and activities undertaken by WWF in areas such as climate change mitigation, plastic pollution management, and biodiversity conservation.

Minister Đặng Quốc Khánh met and held discussions with Ms. Tanya Steele, CEO of WWF UK

(Worldwide Fund for Nature United Kingdom).

The leaders of WWF from various countries also commit to actively contribute to the collective efforts of Vietnam and the global community in building a prosperous society with high resilience to environmental pollution and climate change.

The leader of WWF in the UK, the United States, Denmark, and Vietnam have committed to actively contribute to Vietnam's and the global collective efforts in building a prosperous society resilient to environmental pollution and climate change. The leaders of WWF from these countries pledged close collaboration in mobilizing green finance to serve Vietnam's sustainable development goals, such as achieving fair energy transition, utilizing and harnessing biodiversity resources, and establishing and developing biodiversity conservation areas and national parks. They expressed their commitment to coordinating efforts in raising funds for climate-adaptive financial platforms in vulnerable regions like the Truong Son Central and South Truong Son regions of Vietnam. Furthermore, the WWF leadership from these countries committed to actively contributing to Vietnam's and global endeavors to build resilient societies in the face of environmental pollution and climate change. This commitment involves implementing cross-border, cross-national projects with a focus on sharing experiences and technologies.

ICCN (International Centre for Conservation of Nature) is an organization that has made significant efforts and positive contributions to conservation work in localities in Vietnam. Specifically, they have played a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, environmental protection, and the establishment of conservation areas, ecosystems, wetlands, and more.

ICCN (International Centre for Conservation of Nature) is an organization that has made significant efforts and positive contributions to conservation work in localities in Vietnam. Specifically, they have played a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, environmental protection, and the establishment of conservation areas, ecosystems, wetlands, and more.

During the meeting with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Ms. Grethel Aguilar, Director-General of IUCN, mentioned that IUCN has been present in Vietnam for 30 years. She expressed the organization's desire to further strengthen collaboration, especially in the field of biodiversity conservation, implementing joint projects related to the environment, climate, and water resources. Ms. Grethel Aguilar also emphasized IUCN's commitment to supporting Vietnam in accessing financial channels and technical expertise to carry out projects related to water resources, nature conservation, biodiversity, and climate change adaptation.

Minister Đặng Quốc Khánh and Ms. Grethel Aguilar, Director-General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), took a commemorative photo.

In the context where biodiversity is recognized as a crucial natural asset for developing a green economy, protecting the environment, preventing natural disasters, and adapting to climate change, as outlined in the National Biodiversity Strategy until 2030, Minister Đặng Quốc Khánh suggested that IUCN continue supporting Vietnam in accessing financial resources for larger-scale conversion projects that provide livelihoods for local communities. He also proposed cooperation to assist Vietnam in watershed management, ensuring water security.

Earlier, within the framework of the COP28 conference, Minister Đặng Quốc Khánh also had discussions with Ms. Theresa Mundita Lim, Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity. Ms. Theresa Mundita Lim highly praised Vietnam's efforts in responding to climate change and biodiversity conservation, affirming the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity's commitment to collaborating with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to implement cooperative activities.

Mr. Remy Rioux, the CEO of the French Development Agency (AFD), has consistently shown special interest and commitment to promoting cooperation with Vietnam in the fields of environment, climate, and water resources. Several effective programs and projects are currently being implemented, with a notable example being the project "Study on the Socio-Economic Impacts of Climate Change in Vietnam and Climate Change Adaptation Strategies" (GEMMES Vietnam), which supports the development of long-term climate change adaptation solutions.

During the working session with Minister Đặng Quốc Khánh, Mr. Remy Rioux pledged to collaborate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to propose environmental, climate, and water resource policies based on scientific foundations. AFD is ready to support Vietnam in implementing projects aligned with common goals. Additionally, Mr. Remy Rioux committed to working together to promote financial investments in energy transition projects under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

Minister Đặng Quốc Khánh and Mr. Remy Rioux took a commemorative photo.

Minister Đặng Quốc Khánh highly appreciates the role of Mr. Remy Rioux and AFD in supporting climate change response efforts since AFD officially began operating in Vietnam nearly 30 years ago. Building on the achievements, the Minister suggested that AFD, through its collaboration, could mobilize leading French scientists and researchers to support Vietnam in the second phase of the GEMMES project. This phase will focus on proposing climate change adaptation solutions, promoting equitable energy transition for energy security, and ensuring sustainable development. Additionally, AFD is urged to support climate change adaptation projects in the Mekong Delta, assist in training human resources for carbon pricing, and develop the domestic carbon market in Vietnam, as well as contribute to addressing plastic pollution.

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is a trusted partner, always accompanying the Government of Vietnam as well as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in collaborative activities across all sectors. This affirmation was made by Mr. Achim Steiner, the Administrator of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), during a meeting with Mr. Đặng Quốc Khánh, the Minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

During the working session, Minister Đặng Quốc Khánh highly appreciated the collaborative activities and support provided by UNDP. He further emphasized that UNDP is one of the crucial partners of the Ministry, engaging in numerous collaborative and supportive activities in the fields of environmental protection, biodiversity, ocean plastic waste management, and circular economy. UNDP has supported the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, along with other relevant ministries, in developing the Resource Mobilization Plan for the Implementation of the Joint Environmental and Trade Policy (JETP) of Vietnam, recently announced at COP28. This is a clear testament to the effective cooperative relationship between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and UNDP.

Minister Đặng Quốc Khánh and Mr. Achim Steiner, the Administrator of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP)

Minister Đặng Quốc Khánh also proposed that UNDP continue to support Vietnam in enhancing adaptive capacity to climate change for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. This includes promoting solutions to enhance the resilience of vulnerable groups against negative impacts of natural disasters and extreme weather conditions, as well as implementing the Resource Mobilization Plan for the Implementation of the Joint Environmental and Trade Policy (JETP). Additionally, he sought UNDP's assistance in mobilizing resources to protect the environment, reduce plastic waste pollution, and support Vietnam in promoting green, circular, and low-carbon economies. Other areas of collaboration include marine spatial planning, developing a blue economy, addressing plastic waste pollution, and biodiversity conservation.

Mr. Achim Steiner affirmed UNDP's commitment to collaborating and supporting Vietnam in researching and establishing standards aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. UNDP is also willing to collaborate on developing a blue economy to leverage Vietnam's maritime advantages and assist in tackling plastic pollution.

Tu Quyen