Minister Do Duc Duy and Ms. Ramla Khalidi, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam, have reached a consensus on common views, major objectives, and the highest determination to implement the commitments on Climate Change and Environmental Protection made by both parties

On September 26, Do Duc Duy, Member of the Central Party Committee and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, along with leaders of various units from the Ministry, held a meeting with the UNDP delegation in Vietnam, led by Ms. Ramla Khalidi, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam.

During the meeting, Ms. Ramla Khalidi emphasized that UNDP has been a long-standing, reliable, and effective partner of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Both sides have developed a deep and comprehensive cooperation across several key areas, including climate change, biodiversity, circular economy, plastic pollution, marine economy, water resources, and many other fields.

Ms. Ramla Khalidi, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam

Referring to the strong commitments made by the Vietnamese Government at COP26 under Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and recognizing the efforts of the entire political system of Vietnam in striving for net-zero emissions by 2050, Ms. Ramla Khalidi affirmed that UNDP stands ready to support Vietnam. She also expressed hope that Vietnam’s achievements will not only benefit the country but also serve as a model for other nations to commit to emission reductions, a just energy transition, and climate adaptation.

Minister Do Duc Duy sincerely thanked Ms. Ramla Khalidi and UNDP Vietnam for their effective and practical cooperation results in recent times

To further enhance the effectiveness of the collaborative programs between the two sides and to move toward shared goals, Ms. Ramla Khalidi expressed her desire that, as the head of the natural resources and environment sector, Minister Do Duc Duy would push forward more projects on plastic waste reduction, nature conservation tourism, and support for the Global Biodiversity Fund. In addition, she called for guidance and support for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) projects as well as UNDP’s activities in sustainable development projects.

Minister Đỗ Đức Duy hoped that after the meeting, the agencies of the Ministry and UNDP would continue to promote many new and effective cooperation opportunities

Minister Do Duc Duy extended his sincere thanks to Ms. Ramla Khalidi and UNDP Vietnam for their highly effective and practical cooperation over the years. He expressed confidence that, based on these achievements, the Ministry and UNDP will continue to strengthen collaboration in fields where UNDP has expertise and that are priorities for the Ministry. Minister Do Duc Duy also directed relevant departments within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to promptly implement the proposals put forward by UNDP.

Minister Do Duc Duy further shared that the Prime Minister recently met with Vietnam's largest economic corporations, where priorities were laid out regarding green transition and circular economy development. He urged UNDP to propose livelihood solutions and develop projects for a just energy transition.

Minister Do Duc Duy presenting a souvenir gift to Ms. Ramla Khalidi, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Regarding the ongoing and future cooperation programs between the two sides, Minister Do Duc Duy requested that UNDP continue supporting Vietnam in enhancing climate change adaptation capacities for vulnerable groups, promoting solutions to improve the resilience of communities affected by natural disasters and extreme weather events, and implementing the resource mobilization plan for JETP.

Minister Do Duc Duy also called for continued collaboration in promoting circular economy initiatives to meet environmental protection and natural resource conservation goals through the enhancement of recycling, reusing, and refilling, especially for plastic products. This would reduce resource wastage, create new economic values, and open job opportunities. He suggested that both parties work together to study and implement pilot projects in several localities, from which lessons could be drawn and successful models replicated nationwide.

Minister Do Duc Duy taking a photo with Ms. Ramla Khalidi, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), along with the UNDP delegation

In the field of marine and island resources, Minister Do Duc Duy expressed hope that UNDP would continue to collaborate on developing policies for marine environmental protection, raising community awareness about the importance of marine resource conservation, and creating support programs for coastal communities to enable their active participation in natural resource conservation.

Regarding biodiversity cooperation, Minister Do Duc Duy hoped that the collaboration between the Ministry and UNDP would make significant contributions to Vietnam’s conservation efforts and sustainable development. He requested that Ms. Ramla Khalidi and UNDP support research and the development of standards in line with the international biodiversity framework.

In addition, Minister Do Duc Duy expressed his desire for both parties to develop plans and programs aimed at reducing plastic pollution, while encouraging active participation from businesses and communities.

Minister Do Duc Duy expressed hope that following the meeting, both the Ministry’s agencies and UNDP would create more new and effective opportunities for cooperation. He also anticipated that information and programs on sustainable development of natural resources and the environment would be further strengthened, thereby shifting public awareness and behavior toward environmental protection and natural resource conservation.

Minister Do Duc Duy and Ms. Ramla Khalidi, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam, reaffirmed their shared perspectives, key goals, and highest commitment to implementing the joint pledges on climate change and environmental protection.