Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has delivered an important messageto the Climate Adaptation Summit (CAS) which took place virtually on January 25 and26.

Following is the full text of the remarks by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Earth,our shared home, is experiencing fierce tremors due to the severe impacts of climate change, putting the development and survival ofvarious peoples and countries at risk. Such challenge has become an even greaterburden, as the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermaths have diverted resourcesfrom climate action efforts.

Today’s Summit is of great significance, as we join hands and march into thenew decade for Earth – our beloved home, with a strong resolution, novelinitiatives, and greater actions to advance climate adaptation, therebycontributing to the achievement of the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. 

Ladies and gentlemen,

According to the World Bank, Vietnam is one of the countries worstaffected by climate change. The coastal areas and river deltas of Vietnam,especially the Mekong Delta in the South, regularly come under the devastating impactof rising sea level, saline intrusion and other climate-related hazards – typhoons,tropical depression, floods and droughts, to name a few. The mountainous areas arevery often hit by flash floods and landslides, occurring at much greaterfrequency.

In response to climate change, apart from restructuring its economy towards alow-carbon model and reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, Vietnam pledges tostrengthen the resilience and adaptation of communities, economic stakeholdersand the ecosystem. We will step up disaster risk reduction and mitigation ofclimate-related damage. Climate adaptation will be further mainstreamed intoour national strategies and planning. We will also invest more in humanresources, scientific research, and development and application of advancedtechnologies.


The Vietnamese Government considers the efforts of Vietnam’s entire population,and of each individual, the foundation for successfully implementing its climateadaptation programs and activities.

Despite such efforts, our economy may only meet around 30 percent of ourclimate adaptation demand, and Vietnam needs an additional 35 billion USD between2021 and 2030. Let me take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to theinternational community, and I look forward toyour continued cooperation and support for our climate adaptation programmes.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The challenges of climate change will continue to multiply and become muchharder to manage should we fail to take urgent actions to strengthen climateadaptation. Accordingly, I believe that:

First, we should bolster the adaptation of communities, the participation ofthe people, and the resilience of all industries and sectors against the adverseimpacts of climate change.

Second, climate adaptation should go hand-in-hand with sustainable development,gender equality, and poverty eradication, with no one being left behind.

Third, greater financial and technological support should be provided todeveloping countries in climate adaptation.

Fourth, we should promote multi-stakeholder partnerships for climate adaptation,and engage businesses, scientists, communities and non-governmental organisationsin climate adaptation activities.

Vietnam will continue our active participation in international efforts tocombat climate change, so as to transform climate-induced “challenges” into “opportunities”for the sustainable development for all. 

Thank you./.