The third regional forum of the Energy and Environment Partnership with the Mekong region (EEP Mekong) has underlined the need for new initiatives and solutions to facilitate the development of renewable energy.

At the event on November 20 in Hanoi, Finnish Ambassador to Vietnam Kimmo Lohdevirta said the EEP Mekong programme aims to promote the use of renewable energy in countries in the sub-Mekong region, including Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam .

According to him, Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nordic Development Fund committed 7.9 million EUR to the programme during 2012-2016, focusing on projects to develop clean energy and fight water and land pollution.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Le Duong Quang said that as Vietnam is facing exhaustion of fossil fuel sources and climate change, suitable policies and mechanisms to facilitate the development of clean energy is of great importance.

Submitting his proposal, Pham Trong Thuc, Head of the New and Renewable Energy Department said that Vietnam needs to set up a renewable energy fund to foster the development of this potential energy.

He also suggested promulgating policies and mechanisms to create a legal foundation for the private sector to invest in this field, while making full use of technical and financial assistance from international organisations and developed countries.

The EPP Programme is an initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, and has been implemented in 25 countries worldwide, contributing to the increase in energy services and reduction in green house emissions.-VNA