Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Wiesen told the press on the sidelines of the launchof the Stockholm 50 National Consultations in Vietnam in Hanoi on April 13 thatVietnam has recorded improvements on a number of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) related to theenvironment such as clean water and sanitation.
According to the UNDP official, the countryhas experienced “extraordinary” successful growth over the past time, with the exceptionduring the COVID-19 pandemic.
She, however, stressed that it is absolutely vitalfor Vietnam to build resilience in the ways that are environmentallysustainable, as it is one of the most climate vulnerable countries in the world.
The country can grow very rapidly and increase thepercentage of renewables, Wiesen said, noting that in 2018-2019, there wasextraordinary growth in solar and wind.
However, for further growth and renewables, it isnecessary to address some of the issues relating to the extension of the powergrid and the reform of the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN).
“And this will be vitally important to phase outcoal, moving forward and to increase the percentage and the mix of renewablesand the overall energy consumption of Vietnam, which is vital to Vietnam’sgrowth,” she said.
Wiesen also spoke highly of the commitments by Prime MinisterPham Minh Chinh at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties(COP26) in Glasgow, the UK, especially the commitments to net zero emissions by2050.
“Vietnam is also taking the very proactive steps establishinga national steering committee and realigning key climate change strategydocuments as well as Power Development Plan No. 8,” she said.
The UNDP official emphasised that although thereare big challenges, the opportunities are large too, saying Vietnam is “on athreshold of also planning a future way of growth that has not yet been fullyexperienced in the world.”
United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative Caitlin Wiesen (Photo: VNA) The event aims to bring the views of the Vietnamesepeople to the global stage on the key challenges that people and the planet arefacing.
The UN General Assembly has decided to convene a high-levelmeeting entitled “Stockholm 50: a healthy planet for the prosperity of all –our responsibility, our opportunity”, to define urgent, concrete actions thatall people can take to protect the planet to ensure a strong, long-termfoundation for a green, inclusive future. The meeting will be hosted by theGovernment of Sweden with the support from the Kenyan Government in Stockholmon June 2 and 3 this year.
In this regard, Wiesen pointed out the threemessages of the Stockholm 50 National Consultations, including nature-basedsolutions, as Vietnam is one of the most biodiverse rich regions in the worldand the way in which development takes place will be very important to protectthe environment.
The other messages lie with energy transition thatis both inclusive and green, and the circular economy.
The UNDP representative noted the need to take amore coherent and integrated approach to the circular economy and change people’smindset about how they use plastics.
She said the UNDP has worked with the VietnameseMinistry of Natural Resources and Environment to launch a circular economy hub.
“We invite the private sector partners, donors, governmentofficials, people from civil society and NGOs to come together to share thebest practices that they have, and how we can really create an economy that's avibrant economy for reusing plastics as well,” she said./.
VNA
