Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh has reaffirmed that Vietnam will fully and seriously honour climate change commitments at both global and regional levels, especially within the ASEAN cooperation framework.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh attends the US Security Council discussion
on climate change and security at the invitation of Germany's Federal Foreign Minister
Heiko Maas. (Photo: VNA)

Addressing a high-level online discussion on climate change and security of the UN Security Council on July 24, Minh dwelled on the profound impact of climate change on the livelihood, lives, food security and water resources of millions of people. 

Vietnam is one of the countries seriously affected by climate change, especially sea level rise and saline intrusion in the Mekong Delta, therefore effective measures to cope with climate change are of strategic significance for the country’s sustainable development, stressed Minh. 

According to the Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister, strengthening international cooperation is a key factor behind sustainable peace and prosperity for all people worldwide. He called on the UN Security Council to address the root causes of conflict such as poverty, inequality, militarism and disregard for international law.

The Deputy Prime Minister suggested that the Security Council should supplement the analysis of the impact of climate change in assessing conflicts, in order to develop a comprehensive strategy for conflict and crisis management, with special attention given to supporting developing, underdeveloped, small islands as well as landlocked countries vulnerable to climate change.

“Climate change is a global challenge that requires global solutions through multilateral cooperation coordinated by the United Nations,” he emphasized.

Minh said climate change is one of the priority issues that Vietnam embarks on as it assumes the role as a non-permanent member of the Security Council in 2020-2021. Vietnam has been actively participating in joint efforts to help the Security Council come up with a strong, united political message on climate change.

During discussions and negotiations, he said, Vietnam has called for strengthening international cooperation, capacity building and technical assistance for developing countries and countries heavily affected by climate change, while simultaneously meeting international commitments on climate change response, with a focus on addressing the root causes of conflict such as poverty and inequality.