Climate change knows no borders and it is set to cause more severe consequences without more effectively and efficiently coordinated efforts, according to Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh. 

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh addresses the VTC
High-level Open Debate of the United Nations Security Council on Climate and
Security on July 24, 2020. Photo: VGP

Minh made the above statement on Friday at the VTC High-level Open Debate of the United Nations Security Council on Climate and Security.

To address this global challenge, Minh stressed the need for a global response, in which multilateral cooperation coordinated by the United Nations is essential. 

He suggested that the UNSC should continue with an integrated and comprehensive approach in addressing root causes of conflicts, such as poverty, injustice, militarism and disregard for international law. 

The Council should also include in its conflict analysis consideration of the impacts of climate change as this is key to developing strategies that can address all aspects of crises and conflicts in a comprehensive and sustainable manner. 

Deputy PM, FM Minh called on the Council to support efforts of the entire UN system and the role of key international instruments for addressing climate change. 

Participants to the VTC High-level Open Debate of the United Nations Security Council
on Climate and Security. Photo: VGP

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement must continue to guide national and global response based on mitigation, adaptation and resilience, which would contribute to the prevention of climate-induced conflicts and crises.

Special attention and assistance should be given to developing, least-developed, small island and land-locked countries, many of whom suffer heavily from the impacts of climate change, but lag far behind in terms of response capacity, expertise and resources, said Minh.

He expressed his belief that the Council, like any other international institution, needs to respect the sovereignty, national ownership and primary responsibility of States, and act in line with their respective mandates while addressing "climate and security" issues. 

Climate change has proven to be a dangerous threat multiplier, to aggravate vulnerable political and security situations, and to prolong, exacerbate and even instigate conflicts and instabilities.

For Viet Nam, the Mekong Delta, which plays a crucial role for the country’s and regional food security, is one of the deltas most affected by sea-level rise and salination, thus effective response to climate change is therefore vital to our sustainable development.

Against the backdrop, Minh said Viet Nam has seriously implemented commitments and obligations under all key international legal instruments on climate change. 

He affirmed the country’s support for efforts to address climate-related challenges, including here in the Security Council. 

At the regional level, Viet Nam will work with partners to strengthen ASEAN awareness, coordination and resilience, and implement an ASEAN Joint Response to Climate Change, Minh pledged./.