Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh met with Caroline Beresford, New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam

A joint effort to address climate change

During the meeting, Ambassador Caroline Beresford expressed her hopes for further expansion in the bilateral relationship, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts to address climate challenges. New Zealand seeks to elevate the partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership by 2025, marking a critical milestone in both countries’ collaboration. She praised Vietnam’s commitment to building resilient communities, developing sustainable infrastructure, and transitioning to low-carbon agricultural practices, highlighting the shared goals between the two nations.

New Zealand seeks to elevate the partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership by 2025, marking a critical milestone in both countries’ collaboration

Ms. Anna Broadhurst outlined New Zealand’s new climate change strategy, which includes five pillars: enhancing infrastructure for community resilience, promoting clean energy and carbon markets to achieve net zero emissions, fostering scientific and technological innovation, and implementing nature-based solutions—particularly relevant to New Zealand’s agriculture-dependent economy. Both sides recognized the potential for collaboration in these areas as Vietnam is also focusing on renewable energy development and is preparing to pilot a carbon credit market in 2025.

Signing a new cooperation agreement: A milestone in bilateral relations

The two countries agreed that the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and New Zealand’s Ministry of Climate Change would sign a Climate Change Cooperation Agreement, expected to be a significant document marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the fifth anniversary of the Strategic Partnership between the two nations in 2025. This agreement will focus on sharing expertise in carbon credit market development, building sustainable infrastructure, and implementing nature conservation solutions amid the growing impacts of climate change.

Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh emphasized that Vietnam requires international cooperation models to find sustainable solutions for the future

The meeting also opened discussions for collaborative efforts on the sidelines of the upcoming COP29 Climate Change Conference. Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh emphasized that as one of the countries most affected by climate change with an extensive coastline, Vietnam requires international cooperation models to find sustainable solutions for the future. The signing of this Climate Change Cooperation Agreement is anticipated to be a landmark moment, fostering specific action programs and expanding the scope for multi-sector cooperation. The agreement will be signed in the presence of high-level leaders, expected during a high-level visit to either Vietnam or New Zealand.

Ngoc Huyen