Vietnam has supported the contents of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and any drive to further refine its indicators, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha made the statement at a working session in Hanoi on January 26 with Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Vietnam.

During the meeting, Minister Ha and Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti discussed the implementation of the framework and orientations for Vietnam-EU cooperation in implementing Vietnam’s commitments made at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).

Minister Tran Hong Ha works with the EU delegation to Vietnam. Photo: Khuong Trung

The minister noted that to carry out the framework, it is necessary to establish implementation measures and resources mobilization mechanisms, enhance collaboration and information exchange and build capacity for developing countries to fulfill related requirements.

Vietnam's commitments at COP26 are very important, serving the country's long-term interests in line with the orientation of the 13th National Party Congress on building a green and circular economy, Ha stated.

He added that Vietnam is seeking stronger cooperation with the EU and its member states in regard to COP26’s outcomes. Such joint work should revolve around the implementation of projects on the transition to clean energy and transport, afforestation, and climate change adaptation.

There is also a need to increase activities aiming at business capacity improvement, guiding the compliance with standards for climate change response and sustainable development by imported goods into the European market, and developing the carbon market, among others, Ha stressed.

For his part, Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti shared the EU's views and expectations for the framework and discussed the orientations for COP26-related cooperation between the bloc and Vietnam.

The ambassador also talked about a working visit to Vietnam by Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans, which is scheduled for February 17-23.

Minister Tran Hong Ha receives Chief Representative of JICA in Vietnam Shimizu Akira. Photo: Khuong Trung

The same day, Minister Tran Hong Ha worked with Shimizu Akira, chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Vietnam. The two officials exchanged and proposed cooperation orientations in the coming time between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and JICA.

Accordingly, the ministry will continue to support JICA's projects which are in execution, and appoint contacts of the two sides for discussing projects using renewable energy, fossil energy, and on land resources, as well as developing low-emission transport projects.

Ha and Shimizu Akira expressed their belief that the two sides will effectively partner to achieve the goals, based on the close cooperation relationship between Vietnam and Japan.