COP28: Viet Nam aims for global adaptation goal

December 3, 2023

Dubai, 3 December, 2023 - Within the framework of COP 28 taking place in Dubai (UAE), the Department of Climate Change, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), has just organized a workshop to promote the implementation of the climate change National Adaptation Plan for up to 2030 aims to achieve the global adaptation goal.

Attending the event were Mr. Tang The Cuong - Director of the Department of Climate Change (DCC), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; Mr. Pradeep Kurukulasuriya - Global Director and Executive Coordinator, Nature, Climate and Energy, United Nations Development Program (UNDP); Mr. Kevin Horsburgh - Director of climate science, Green Climate Fund (GCF); Mr. Dao Xuan Lai - UNDP Head of Climate Change and Environment Unit in Viet Nam, representatives of international organizations and experts.

Speaking at the conference, Mr. Tang The Cuong quoted the United Nations Secretary-General as warning that the world is entering an era of global warming. Natural disasters and extreme weather events under the impact of climate change are seriously affecting many countries and communities at an unprecedented scale and level.

With the geographical characteristics of having a long coastline located in the tropical storm belt of the Western Pacific, in recent years, Viet Nam has recorded 20/21 types of natural disasters occurring nationwide, causing much damage to people and property, especially vulnerable groups. According to the World Bank, in 2011-2022, economic losses due to the negative impacts of climate change in Viet Nam reached over 10 billion USD.

Viet Nam has issued a National Plan for 2021-2030 to adapt to climate change, with a vision to 2050 with three groups of tasks and priority solutions to improve effective adaptation to climate change, strengthen resilience, and enhance the adaptive capacity of communities, economic sectors, and ecosystems; reduce natural disaster risks and damage; and be ready to respond to increased natural disasters and climate extremes.

However, Viet Nam faces many challenges, including a lack of financial resources, qualifications, and experience that have made it unable to meet urgent requirements. According to estimates, Vietnam's financial need for climate change adaptation in 2021-2030 is up to 100 billion USD. Viet Nam wishes to cooperate, exchange experiences, and promote multilateral cooperation with development partners and non-governmental organizations, especially UNDP and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), to deploy solutions toward the goal of global adaptation.

UNDP representative Mr. Pradeep Kurukulasuriya acknowledged Vietnam's efforts in responding to climate change with specific actions, especially climate change adaptation activities that have been widely deployed to large numbers of people, especially vulnerable groups. UNDP affirms that it will always support and assist Viet Nam in accessing financial resources and international support to implement solutions towards net zero emissions.

UNDP Viet Nam Mr. Dao Xuan Lai, Head of Climate Change and Environment Unit also shared information about UNDP's support to improve the resilience of the vulnerable communities in Viet Nam. Under a GCF-UNDP project, more than 4,000 resilient houses were built and handed over to poor and near-poor households. Over 4,000 ha of mangroves were restored to provide a natural buffer between coastal communities and the sea. Over 62,000 people were trained in community-based disaster risk management, and seven databases and climate policy regulatory frameworks were established. In addition, another GCF-backed project named "Strengthening the resilience of smallholder agriculture to climate change-induced water insecurity in the Central Highlands and South-Central Coast regions of Viet Nam" will bring direct benefit to 222,400 women and men in five provinces of Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Khanh Hoa, Dak Lak, and Dak Nong.

Mr. Kevin Horsburgh, Director of Climate Science, Green Climate Fund, said this Fund will continue to support countries, including Viet Nam, by enhancing coordination between parties, focusing on pilot activities, and creating financial resources to help implement activities to respond to climate change.

Ms. Pham Thi Cam Nhung, Representative of the Climate Change Working Group (CCWG), recommended that, in the coming time, Vietnam's policies on climate change need to continue to focus on gender mainstreaming and improving gender equality.

According to DCC's director, the comments will help Vietnam have the right solutions to increase the effectiveness of implementing climate change adaptation activities. In addition, he also expects international partners to devote many preferential resources, supporting the country in attracting the participation of businesses and communities in adapting to climate change in Viet Nam, aiming to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.