Vietnamese State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc will address Leaders Summit on Climate, which will be held virtually on April 22-23.

State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Photo: kinhtedothi.vn

The president’s attendance responds to the invitation of US President Joe Biden, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In March, Biden invited 40 world leaders to the virtual Summit. 

The Leaders Summit on Climate will underscore the urgency - and the economic benefits - of stronger climate action. It will be a key milestone on the road to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November in Glasgow.

In recent years, scientists have focused on the need to limit planetary warming to 1.5 degrees celsius in order to stave off the worst impacts of climate change. A key goal of both the Leaders Summit and COP26 will be to catalyze efforts keeping such degree celsius goal within reach. 

The Summit will also highlight examples, which can create good income jobs, advance innovative technologies, and help vulnerable countries adapt to climate impacts.

The Summit will reconvene the US-led Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, which brings together 17 countries responsible for approximately 80% of global emissions and global GDP.

By the time of the Summit, the US will announce an ambitious 2030 emissions target as its new Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement.

In his invitation, the US President urged leaders to use the Summit as an opportunity to outline how their countries contribute to stronger climate ambition. 

The US President also invited the heads of other countries that are demonstrating strong climate leadership, especially vulnerable to climate impacts, or charting innovative pathways to a net-zero economy. A small number of business and civil society leaders will also participate in the Summit.