Tokyo (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attendedthe first summit of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) in Tokyo onDecember 18, proposing some cooperation areas to be focused on to help reachthe targets of AZEC.

The event was attended by leaders of member countries of theAssociation of Southeast Asians Nations (ASEAN), Japan, and Australia.

Inhis remarks, PM Chinh pointed out that growing impacts of climate change requirethe international community show determination and take practical actions toachieve the target of net zero emissions.

Heaffirmed that with its sense of responsibility towards the globe and its entirepeople, Vietnam has carried out many strong measures with a new mindset andapproach to realise the commitments made at the 26th Conference ofthe Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26),notably building the national strategy for climate change, the green growthstrategy, the 8th National Power Development Plan that eyes themajority of renewable energy in the energy structure, and the plan on growing 1million ha of high-quality and low-emission rice; making and implementing theNationally Determined Contributions plan; issuing the plan on implementing theJust Energy Transition Partnership (JETP); and announcing the resource mobilisationplan for the JETP implementation.

Tohelp reach the targets of AZEC, he proposed that cooperation should be focusedon researching, developing, and diversifying clean energy sources and newtechnologies; stepping up technology transfer to ensure clean energy sourcesare broadly accessible and affordable in Asia; and ensuring energy transition suitseach country’s conditions.

It is necessary to further promote new climate finance mechanisms,public - private partnership, and cooperation in the private sector tofacilitate developing countries’ access to concessional capital sources. Cooperationshould also be strengthened in the training of high-quality human resources,smart governance, and the perfection of a modern, suitable, and effectivemarket mechanism for each country, the Government leader of Vietnam went on.

He affirmed that with strong resolve and actions as well as developedcountries’ active and effective assistance for developing ones, the goal of azero-emission Asia will come true, thereby securing prosperity for Asiancountries and a sustainable future for the whole world.

At the event, Japanese PM Kishida Fumio noted that AZEC playsan important role in promoting innovation; supporting the formation oftransparent, resilient, strong, and trustworthy supply chains; expanding the marketof clean energy and advanced technology; boosting the coordination of energytransition policies; and enhancing public - private partnership and cooperationin the private sector to accelerate energy transition in the region.

Highly valuing Japan’s initiative to hold the first AZECsummit, ASEAN countries and Australia said AZEC is an important forum formembers to share information about each country’s efforts to maximise regionalcooperation potential to help with energy transition appropriate to eachnation.

They also pledged close coordination to achieve all the three targets ofcarbon emission reduction, energy security, and economic growth in Asia./.