Illustrative image (Source: baodautu.vn) Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassadorto Belgium and Luxembourg Nguyen VanThao said that although the world in general and the two regions of Asia andEurope in particular have seen positive signs of a “new normal” period aftertwo years of being hit by COVID-19, the global economic environment hasremained fragile due to various factors, including geopolitical uncertainties,new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, severe disruption of supply chains, pressuresfrom rising inflation, as well as the challenges in sustainable development andthe unpredictable impacts of climate change.
As a coastal countrythat suffers regular natural disasters, more than any others, Vietnam understands very well the value ofsustainable development as well as economic development going together withenvironmental protection, stressed the ambassador.
He noted that at the26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in the UK, Prime MinisterPham Minh Chinh gave a commitment on net-zero emission by 2050, which isconsidered a historic turning point for the country.
Ambassador Thaoaffirmed that the cooperation potential between Vietnam and Belgium, a worldleading provider of environmental friendly solutions and a hub of modernseaports in Europe, in renewable energy and green port development is huge.
Participants at the workshopheld that in order to reach the net-zero emission target, Vietnam shouldincrease the capacity of generating renewable energy, especially solar and windpower.
Speaking to VietnamNews Agency, Chairman of the International Port Engineering & InvestmentsLtd (IPEI) Marc Stordiau said that the firm is working with Vietnamese partnerto strengthen investment in green energy by supporting Vietnam to build windpower stations in Vietnam’s south-central Binh Thuan province.
IPEI is also pilotinga model of "Water by Wind" (WbW) in Ninh Thuan province for the 2020-2022period, he said, adding that the objective of the project is to seek solutionsto supply fresh water serving agricultural production and the daily life ofpopulations in areas with difficult natural conditions, including those in south-central coastal and Mekong Delta region through a water desalination system usingwind and solar energy.
Kim Demeyer, a FITA scientific and technical advisor, held that Vietnam isan attractive destination for foreign energy investors. In particular, theEU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has created favourable conditions forEuropean investors in investing in the country.
As a coordinatorconnecting Belgian companies and Vietnamese firms, Eve Devoldere, a trade andinvestment counselor of FITA Officein Vietnam, highly valued the investment and business environment in Vietnam, particularlyin the field of green energy.
During the seminar, the speakers all affirmed that Vietnam has eyed great opportunities to boostrenewable energy development. Stordiau held that Vietnam must focus on buildinga better electricity network, strengthening the connectivity of offshore windfarms to the coast and redefining the tariff for offshore wind powerdevelopment activities.
Closing of theseminar, Belgian Senator Andries Gryffroy, who is also BVA President, laudedexperiences and suggestions shared by the speakers. He said that the EuropeanChamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) will organise the Green Economy Expoand Forum (GEFE) 2022 from November 28-30 in Ho Chi Minh City, giving an opportunityfor European agencies and companies, including those from Belgium, to provideVietnam with sustainable solutions to support a green and sustainableVietnamese economy./.
VNA
