Viet Nam puts forward solutions towards carbon neutrality goal at IPU-144

Vu Hai Ha, chairman of the Vietnam National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee, addresses the 144th IPU Assembly taking place in Indonesia. (Photo: VNA)

Addressing the Plenary session of the IPU Assembly in Indonesia on March 22, Vu Hai Ha, chairman of the Vietnam National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee, suggested that member parliaments urges to effectively implement climate change adaptation policies under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

The parliaments should develop a roadmap to achieve net-zero emissions as committed at the 26^th UN Conference on Climate Change (COP26), along with closely monitoring the implementation of sustainable development goals, especially one on climate change, said Hai.

He pointed out that the parliaments should strengthen cooperation bilaterally and actively to connect, pool resources, share experiences, provide technical & financial support, and improve their capacity in responding to climate change.

He called on developed countries to pioneer in their meeting efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide technical, financial and technological support to developing countries to their resilience to climate change.

The Vietnamese official policy that the parliaments complete legislation, and allocate a budget to ensure the implementation of national climate commitments in accordance with the capacity and development level of each country.

He stressed the necessity for the IPU and the COP Secretariat to develop a mechanism for monitoring and sharing information, experience and good models in realizing countries’ commitments.

Last but not least, he suggested that MPs promote their role in helping people and businesses opportunities and long-term benefits from engaging in global initiatives on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while simultaneously encouraging the development of public-private partnerships, and upholding businesses’ creativity as well as people’s support and actions.

The Vietnamese legislator expressed his belief that with strong political determination and efforts by all member parliaments, climate change goals would be achieved to support economic recovery and sustainable development.

He voiced Viet Nam’s resolve to effectively carry out economic development tasks coupled with environmental protection and climate change response, consider this a difficult but central and urgent task.

Vietnam will continue to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, rapidly increase renewable energy sources, and strive to build an appropriate roadmap for transition to a green, circular, low-carbon economy, he stressed.

The Vietnam National Assembly passed the Law on Environmental Protection in 2020, including a chapter on climate change response. The Government established a National Steering Committee to implement Viet Nam’s commitments at COP26.

This year, Hai said, the National Assembly will strictly monitor the implementation of Viet Nam’s commitments at COP 26.