Hue City, Viet Nam, 22 – 24 May 2024 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Thua Thien Hue Provincial People’s Committee are organizing the South-South Lessons Learned Workshop on Aligning Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) with Green Recovery. The workshop will bring together government officials involved in the project, UNDP international experts of Benin, Albania, Ecuador, Viet Nam, and Jordan, and other Vietnamese representatives.

The primary objective of the workshop is to share insights and lessons learned from the pilot countries on integrating NDCs with green recovery initiatives. Another key objective is to identify best practices and challenges in aligning NDCs with sustainable economic recovery efforts. The workshop will also explore opportunities for applying the lessons learned in future programming and policy-making, particularly in the context of the 2025 NDC revision. Additionally, it aims to foster South-South collaboration and support networks for ongoing knowledge exchange and mutual learning.

In response to the dual challenges of recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing climate change, the alignment of NDCs with green recovery strategies has become a vital pathway for sustainable development. To support this goal, the UNDP initiated a targeted support project for five pilot countries—Benin, Albania, Ecuador, Vietnam, and Jordan. This initiative focuses on leveraging the NDC enhancement and implementation process to foster a recovery that is robust, equitable, and sustainable, highlighting the importance of the Paris Agreement and its instruments, such as NDCs, National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and Long-Term Strategies (LTS). The pilot countries have undertaken various initiatives, including policy alignment, financial strategies, capacity building, and knowledge sharing, to integrate NDCs into their green recovery efforts.

Participants will gain an improved understanding of the challenges and opportunities in aligning NDCs with green recovery. The workshop will formulate recommendations for future programming, incorporating lessons learned from the pilot project. Furthermore, the workshop aims to develop networks for South-South cooperation on NDCs and sustainable development.
Workshop highlights include an overview of Hue city's vision for a green city. There will be deep dive sessions on aligning NDC policy measures with COVID-19 recovery plans and NDC finance with recovery finance. The workshop will also include sessions on enhancing gender responsiveness and inclusivity in green recovery efforts. Discussions on fostering continued engagement and planning for NDC revision will promote South-South cooperation.

“Green recovery and green economy efforts must be vigorously pursued at national, regional, and global levels, guided by the SDGs and the Paris Agreement. Strong political commitment from governments and active private sector engagement are critical for achieving a green and resilient economy, leveraging NDCs to secure both national and international resources for their enhancement and implementation,” said Mr. Patrick Haverman, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Viet Nam.

At the opening session, Mr. Hoang Hai Minh, Thua Thien Hue Provincial People’s Committee stated that “With the cooperation and support of UNDP, Thua Thien Hue has achieved positive results in green energy conversion, reducing carbon and methane emissions in the transportation sector. Some projects include the pilot "Support for providing preferential loans for individuals to purchase electric vehicles" for people in Thua Thien Hue province; deploying six electric trucks as a pilot waste collection site in Hue city funded by UNDP; Research and test green transportation policy for delivery staff delivering goods by motorbike in Hue city; Install 04 solar panel systems for electric vehicle charging stations.”

The field trip on the final day will take participants to various sites in Hue City, including Vietnam Motorcycle Ltd, where they will see the electric vehicle fleet supported by UNDP, and the Hue Environment and Urban Works Joint Stock Company to learn about the solar battery stations and electric garbage trucks funded by the Government of Japan and UNDP. Additional stops include the Institute of Development Studies of Thua Thien Hue province and a shared bicycle station promoting environmentally friendly transport options. The tour concludes at the Gia Long Mausoleum, where participants will experience the electric vehicle and bicycle systems used for site visits.

This workshop represents a significant step towards fostering sustainable development through green recovery, aligning NDCs, and promoting South-South cooperation.

For more information, please contact:
Phan Huong Giang,
UNDP Media and Communications Analyst, Climate Change and Environment
Email: phan.huong.giang@undp.org
Mob: 0948466688