Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations speaks at the event (Photo: VNA) New York (VNA) – Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, PermanentRepresentative of Vietnam to the United Nations, emphasised the strongcommitments made by Vietnam at the 26th United Nations Climate ChangeConference (COP-26), while attending the UN Security Council (UNSC)’s open debate on climatechange, peace and security on June 13.
The event waschaired by Minister ofClimate Change and Environment Mariam Almheiri of the United ArabEmirates (UAE) – the UNSC Chair in June.
AmbassadorGiang said climate changeis a multidimensional challenge that impacts the environment, economy andsociety, while also acting as an amplifier of risks to global peace andsecurity. It potentially exacerbates tensions in conflict-affected areas,create conditions for the development of terrorism, and affect the livelihoodsand well-being of people, particularly women and children. Climate change canalso disrupt food security and water resources, and in extreme cases, lead tointernational conflicts due to competition for scarce resources.
He affirmedthat the UNSC, with its responsibility to maintain global peace and security,needs to continue promoting its climate change agenda.
The UNSCshould adopt a comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes ofconflicts, striking a balance between traditional and non-traditional securitychallenges, and incorporating climate change risk analysis into the functionsand mandates of peacekeeping and special political missions, he said, addingthat the UNSC should support and work closely with relevant mechanisms such asthe UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement whileenhancing cooperation with national and regional climate change initiatives toeffectively and appropriately respond to emerging issues and situations.
ReiteratingVietnam's recommendations at the UNSC to establish a comprehensive database onthe multidimensional impacts of climate change, Giang vowedto continue actively joining in discussions and initiatives related to climatechange, including the UN Climate Ambition Summit and the COP-28 in the UAElater this year.
Delegates atthe event said nine out of 16 countries most vulnerable to climatechange are facing conflicts and require the presence of the UN peacekeeping orspecial political missions.
Opinionsemphasised the need to further leverage the role of the UNSC and enhance thecapacity of the UN missions to better assess the security risks posed byclimate change. This would serve as a basis for the UNSC to address conflictsmore effectively and build peace./.
