Thông báo 30/TB-VPCP

NOTIFICATION

CONCLUSION OF THE PRIME MINISTER - HEAD OF THE NATIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE AT THE FIRST MEETING OF THE NATIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE FULFILLMENT OF VIETNAM'S COMMITMENTS IN THE 26^TH CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

On January 13, 2022, at the Government's headquarter, the Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the Head of the National Steering Committee of the fulfillment of Vietnam's commitments in the 26th Conference of the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (hereinafter referred to as “the Steering Committee”) chaired the first meeting of the Steering Committee. Participants in the meeting consist of the Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh as Deputy Head of the committee; Minister, Chairman of the Government Office, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Minister of Transport, Minister of Construction, Minister of Information and Communications, Chairman of the State Capital Management Committee at the enterprise and representatives of leaderships of the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Science and Technology, the State Bank of Vietnam and Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.

After listening to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment as the standing member of the Steering Committee reporting the results of the participation in the 26th Meeting of the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) and organization of the fulfillment of commitments; contents of the Project for the fulfillment of Vietnam's commitments at COP26 including its key tasks and the scheduled working program in 2022 of the Steering Committee; opinions of the Ministers, leaders of Ministries, central authorities and the Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh, the Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his opinions as follows:

1. Overview

Climate change is a global challenge; Vietnam is one of the developing countries that are severely affected by climate change.  At COP26, Vietnam has made strong commitments with nearly 150 countries to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by the middle of this century; participated in the Commitment to reduce the global methane emission by 2030 with more than 100 countries; participated in the leaders' forest and land use Glasgow Statement with over 140 countries; participated in the Global Coal to Clean Power Transition Statement with 48 countries; participated in the Global Adaptation Action Coalition with 150 countries, etc.

The fulfillment of commitments at COP26, especially the commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by the middle of this century, is a crucial trend which cannot be inverted; the prompt fulfillment of these commitments will bring about big and long-term benefits to the country. Vietnam should take advantage of this opportunity to restructure the economy towards low carbon.

Vietnam’s commitments at COP26 are appreciated by the international community.Many countries, international organizations, development partners and multinational groups, especially financial institutions and large renewable energy groups have made commitments and requested cooperation with Vietnam in the fulfillment of these commitments.

Immediately after COP26, the Prime Minister directed the Ministries and central authorities to promptly study and develop Programs and Plans for the fulfillment of Vietnam’s commitments. The Government established the National Steering Committee of the fulfillment of Vietnam's commitments at COP26 consisting of the Prime Minister as Chairman, Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh as Deputy Chairman and Ministers, leaders of Ministries and central authorities as members; issued the Steering Committee's Operation Regulations. The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment shall set up a Steering Committee Assistance Team and its working regulations.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment - the standing agency of the Steering Committee, which has made great efforts in the proactive announcement of Vietnam's commitments at COP26, shall offer their advices to the Prime Minister on promulgation of an Establishment Decision, Operation Regulations and Working Programs in 2022 of the Steering Committee, establish an Assistance Team and formulate a guideline for the fulfillment of Vietnam's commitments at COP26.

2. Viewpoints and policies for implementation

Climate change is a serious issue to which the Communist Party, State, scientists and the people pay special attention. This is a global issue which requires global approach and overall approach to assess all impacts of climate change on industries and local areas on a nationwide scale in the comprehensive relationship between the central government and local authorities, among local authorities and between local authorities and countries in the region and the world. Grassroots level is the foundation; the people and businesses are the objectives, motivation, center and subjects for implementation.

Commitment and participation with the international community in response to climate change, reduction in carbon emissions and sustainable development are inevitable trends as the international community is determined to boost green economic development, circular economy and digital economy; simultaneously reflect viewpoints and uniform directions of the Communist Party and the Politburo on responding to climate change, detailing contents of the Resolutions of the XIII^th National Party Congress and the socio-economic development plan for restructuring the economy in the period of 2021 – 2025 with a vision towards the specific national development objectives by 2030 and 2045.

There are many advantages as well as challenges in the fulfillment of commitments at COP26, but difficulties and challenges are more prevailing. Therefore, the Steering Committee must have uniform awareness, thoughts, high determination, great efforts, drastic, effective, focused and decisive actions; harmoniously, rationally and efficiently combine green transformation with digital transformation and other key political tasks; mobilize the combined strength of the political system, domestic and overseas resources, state and private resources to disseminate green transformation spirit to the ministries, central authorities, local authorities and the people. Besides, take advantage of interest and support of other countries, partners and international financial institutions in the support and cooperation with Vietnam in the fulfillment of its commitments at COP26.

3. The Working Program and key tasks of the Steering Committee

a) For the Steering Committee’s members

- In the first quarter of 2022, direct Ministries and central authorities to complete the formulation of the Action Plan for fulfillment of Vietnam's commitments at COP26 and send it to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for consolidation and formulation of a Project for fulfillment of Vietnam's commitments at COP26. In the immediate future, focus on the 08 following central tasks: (i) transform from fossil energy to green and clean energy sources; (ii) reduce greenhouse gas emissions in industries; (iii) reduce methane emissions, especially in agricultural production and waste treatment; (iv) encourage research, development and use of electric cars; (v) manage and sustainably use the existing forest area and boost afforestation for carbon absorption and storage; (vi) research, produce and use building materials and development of urban areas in accordance with green and sustainable development; (vii) promote and innovate communication in order that the achieve consensus and cooperation of the entire people and business community with the Government in fulfilling commitments at COP26; (viii) speed up digital transformation in response to climate change.

- Review, supplement and complete institutions and formulate strategies, plans, mechanisms and policies to attract financial and hi-tech resources, high-quality human resources with administration experience and organize effective implementation of proposed solutions.

- Propose specific Programs and Projects and demands for capital, transfer of science and technology, human resources, etc. in order to implement the Action Plan for fulfillment of Vietnam's commitments at COP26 of Ministries and central authorities and send them to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment before January 30, 2022 to consolidate and report to the Steering Committee and organize meetings with international organizations and partners.

b) For the standing agency of the Steering Committee

- Collect opinions from the Steering Committee’s members, complete and give their advices on the effective implementation of the Working Program in 2022; promptly report issues to the Steering Committee.

- Consolidate Action Plans for Vietnam's commitments at COP26 of Ministries, central authorities to complete the Project for the fulfillment of Vietnam's commitments at COP26 and submit it to the Steering Committee for approval in the second quarter of 2022 for submission to competent authorities for approval.

- Take charge and cooperate with the Government Office and relevant authorities in preparing contents and organization works of Dialogues between the Prime Minister as the Head of the Steering Committee and international authorities and organizations as well as development partners in February 2022.

c) For the Steering Committee Assistance Team: the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment shall set up an Assistance Team consisting of officials from relevant ministries and central authorities. Ministries and central authorities shall be responsible for appointing professional officials with good foreign language proficiency, intelligence, determination, will, desire and enthusiasm to assist the Steering Committee. The Assistance Team shall be provided with sufficient resources, human resources, facilities and equipment.

For your information and compliance./.