Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh delivered a speech at the United Nations Climate Change Summit held in New York on September 23, affirming Vietnam’s commitment to join the global efforts to address the issue.
Following is the full text of Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.
“The 5th Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) again confirms that climate change is first and foremost caused by the human. Climate change is becoming more and more complex and unpredictable. Without prompt action, climate change will develop with the worst scenario.
" A four degree Celsius increase in temperature, ice melting, sea level rise are major hazards as a result of climate change, threatening every nation, irrespective of big or small, rich or poor.
“Unfortunately, international efforts have not brought about expected results. People’s lives, property and livelihoods not only in poor and vulnerable countries but also in rich nations will be seriously affected.
“As a developing country, Vietnam is considered one of few countries most severely affected by climate change, particularly by the sea level rise. However, Vietnam is not a country emitting high level of greenhouse gases. If sea level rises 1 metre, 40 percent of the Mekong Delta, the biggest rice production area in Vietnam will be inundated.
“Therefore, at this Conference, we should respond to the call of Secretary General Ban Ki Moon by showing our determination and working together to address climate change.
“To that end, it is Vietnam’s view that, first of all, we need to show our political will and agreement to make our commitments stronger, inheriting the results of international climate change negotiations in order to establish a new global legally binding framework to achieve the goal of limiting the world to a less than two degree Celsius rise in global temperature.
“The global agreement must reflect the principle of equity, common but differentiated responsibilities of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
“It must include adaptation, mitigation, finance, technology transfer, capacity building and means of implementation; ensure clarity and transparency of information relating to national contributions. National contributions must be based on national capabilities and circumstances, taking into account the development needs of developing countries, and historical responsibility of the developed countries.
“On that a basis, Vietnam calls on developed countries to increase commitments and actions to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions under the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, provide finance and technology for developing countries to mitigate and adapt to climate change in accordance with each country’s conditions. In this regard, finance plays a crucial role.
“Being aware of serious challenges in responding to climate change, along with the support of the international community, Vietnam has tried its best to implement adaptation actions. The National Strategy on Climate Change and Green Growth Strategy have been approved and implemented to protect the right to a safe life and development of the Vietnamese people.
“Along with priorities on adaptation activities, Vietnam has taken measures to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Accordingly, Vietnam aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 8-10 percent compared to 2010, reduce energy consumption per GDP by 1-1.5 percent per year.
“Vietnam also plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in energy activities by 10-20 percent compared to the Conventional Development Scenario.
“Currently, Vietnam is in the process of drafting the report the “Intended Nationally Determined Contributions” (INDCs) which defines Vietnam's contribution on mitigation, adaptation and the need for finance, technology transfer and capacity building to contribute the goal of limiting the world to a less than two degree Celsius rise in global temperature.
“At this Conference, Vietnam is committed to working closely with the international community and development partners in the negotiation on climate change in order to achieve objectives set by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, contributing to the promotion of a negotiation process for a Global Agreement on Climate Change in the 21st Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP21) in Paris in 2015.”-VNA
Following is the full text of Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.
“The 5th Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) again confirms that climate change is first and foremost caused by the human. Climate change is becoming more and more complex and unpredictable. Without prompt action, climate change will develop with the worst scenario.
" A four degree Celsius increase in temperature, ice melting, sea level rise are major hazards as a result of climate change, threatening every nation, irrespective of big or small, rich or poor.
“Unfortunately, international efforts have not brought about expected results. People’s lives, property and livelihoods not only in poor and vulnerable countries but also in rich nations will be seriously affected.
“As a developing country, Vietnam is considered one of few countries most severely affected by climate change, particularly by the sea level rise. However, Vietnam is not a country emitting high level of greenhouse gases. If sea level rises 1 metre, 40 percent of the Mekong Delta, the biggest rice production area in Vietnam will be inundated.
“Therefore, at this Conference, we should respond to the call of Secretary General Ban Ki Moon by showing our determination and working together to address climate change.
“To that end, it is Vietnam’s view that, first of all, we need to show our political will and agreement to make our commitments stronger, inheriting the results of international climate change negotiations in order to establish a new global legally binding framework to achieve the goal of limiting the world to a less than two degree Celsius rise in global temperature.
“The global agreement must reflect the principle of equity, common but differentiated responsibilities of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
“It must include adaptation, mitigation, finance, technology transfer, capacity building and means of implementation; ensure clarity and transparency of information relating to national contributions. National contributions must be based on national capabilities and circumstances, taking into account the development needs of developing countries, and historical responsibility of the developed countries.
“On that a basis, Vietnam calls on developed countries to increase commitments and actions to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions under the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, provide finance and technology for developing countries to mitigate and adapt to climate change in accordance with each country’s conditions. In this regard, finance plays a crucial role.
“Being aware of serious challenges in responding to climate change, along with the support of the international community, Vietnam has tried its best to implement adaptation actions. The National Strategy on Climate Change and Green Growth Strategy have been approved and implemented to protect the right to a safe life and development of the Vietnamese people.
“Along with priorities on adaptation activities, Vietnam has taken measures to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Accordingly, Vietnam aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 8-10 percent compared to 2010, reduce energy consumption per GDP by 1-1.5 percent per year.
“Vietnam also plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in energy activities by 10-20 percent compared to the Conventional Development Scenario.
“Currently, Vietnam is in the process of drafting the report the “Intended Nationally Determined Contributions” (INDCs) which defines Vietnam's contribution on mitigation, adaptation and the need for finance, technology transfer and capacity building to contribute the goal of limiting the world to a less than two degree Celsius rise in global temperature.
“At this Conference, Vietnam is committed to working closely with the international community and development partners in the negotiation on climate change in order to achieve objectives set by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, contributing to the promotion of a negotiation process for a Global Agreement on Climate Change in the 21st Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP21) in Paris in 2015.”-VNA
