Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has proposed that the World Bank (WB) continue to assist Vietnam in coping with climate change, fostering green growth and developing a low-carbon economy.

The proposal was made during high-level talks between the Standing Board of the National Committee for Climate Change and a WB delegation in Hanoi on August 25, which was co-chaired by Deputy PM Hai and WB Vice President and Special Envoy for climate change Rachel Kyte.

Deputy PM Hai, who also acts as the committee’s Standing Vice Chairman, highlighted the need for both sides to discuss measures to address the shortcomings and challenges in Vietnam’s response to climate change, as this is a key issue for the country in achieving sustainable development.

He also expressed his wish to learn from the WB’s experiences in the field of fostering green growth and developing a low-carbon economy as well as its recommendations on how to improve Vietnam’s role and position in international forums on climate change.

On her part, Kyte said her visit aims to determine the impacts and risks of climate change in Vietnam, while discussing how to help the country lower carbon emissions and deal with climate change.

The WB is willing to help Vietnam develop comprehensive policies and programmes to mobilize the necessary financial resources, while supporting the country in increasing its role in the global arena of climate change adaptation, she said.

Kyte and the WB delegation also made important recommendations to Vietnam on how to tackle climate change more effectively.

During the talks, both sides expressed their mutual appreciation for the outcomes of their bilateral partnership. They were keen to further boost cooperation, striving towards sustainable development in Vietnam through effectively reducing poverty and boosting green growth.

As part of their visit, Kyte and her delegation conducted a fact-finding mission to the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre.

They also met with Vietnamese enterprises to examine the role of the private sector in responding to climate change in a bid to identify specific steps to further increase the private sector’s involvement.

Before her departure, Kyte will meet with Vietnam’s leading State and Government officials to brief them on the outcomes of her visit and present how the WB will support Vietnam in the near future.-VNA