This is statement by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha with Bertrand Lortholary, Ambassador of France to Vietnam at the reception and meeting on May 18.
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha and Bertrand Lortholary, Ambassador of France to Vietnam at the reception
At the meeting, the two sides discussed the contents of the same interest. Regarding climate change, Vietnam appreciated the role of France in the process of developing and adopting the Paris Climate Change Agreement, while appreciating its pioneering role and initiatives in implementing Paris Agreement, especially initiatives and commitments at One Planet Summit in December 2017 in France; expressing gratitude and acknowledging the financial support of the French Government through the French Development Agency for Vietnam to implement the Paris Climate Change Agreement, including the implementation of Nationally Determined Commitment (NDC) and through the Climate Change Support Program (SP-RCC).
Minister Tran Hong Ha and French Ambassador Bertrand Lortholary agreed in the coming time, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will continue to cooperate effectively with France on scientific research, share experiences related to establishinstitutions andpolicy on climate changes based on the Memorandum of Understanding signed with AFD and other cooperation frameworks.
In the area of environmental protection, Minister Tran Hong Ha suggested Ambassador Bertrand Lortholary to promote cooperation with the Ministry and relevant agencies of the French Government to learn and share experiences in law development, environmental protection policy; Vietnamese staff training and attraction of good experts in the field of environment to help the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment well perform the state management function in the field of environment. French Ambassador Bertrand Lortholary said he would support French institutions and implement these tasks in the future.
In the field of the sea and islands, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment proposed that France promote joint research and transfer of tools and equipment for the purpose of studying marine resources and environment, especially considering the possibility of supplying ships marine research for Vietnam.
In the field of water resources management, the Minister said that the French Foreign Ministry as well as the European Union has encouraged and supported Vietnam to join the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Water Resources and the International Lakes (Water Convention). The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is in charge of implementing the necessary procedures to accede to the Convention and recommends that the French side pay attention and support to Vietnam in the coming time, including technical assistance and strengthening activities to effectively implement the Convention.
Informing Ambassador Bertrand Lortholary on the concerns of the French Minister of Environment about the Mekong Delta and the development of smart cities ... Minister Tran Hong Ha wished to receive the enthusiastic support of the development partners as France is a country with a lot of experience in dealing with obstacles in the development process as well as solutions in environmental protection.
At the meeting, the two sides discussed the cooperation on environment and climate change under the framework of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), proposed France to support activities, training and communication in Vietnam to enhance the capacity and awareness of state management to the private sector ... and other issues of mutual concern.
At the reception and working session, Minister Tran Hong Ha and Bertrand Lortholary affirmed that the cooperation between the French Ambassador to Vietnam and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in particular would contribute to promoting the relationship between two countries Vietnam and France in the area of environmental resources and response to climate change.
Viet Hung