International cooperation vital to fighting climate change: Vietnamese PM

He stressed Vietnam is one of several countries most vulnerable to climate change and the negative impacts of unsustainable exploitation of water resources of the Mekong River.

He reaffirmed the country’s commitment to attaining the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, including the key priorities of reducing poverty, addressing inequality, improving education, promoting renewable energy and coping with climate change.

"Vietnam has continues to integrate climate change readiness into its development planning, and is fully committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 8 percent by 2030, and even upwards of 25 percent if the country receives necessary support from the international community," he said.

As the host of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2017, Vietnam has pushed the agenda for sustainable development, climate change response and efficient energy use. It is cooperating with APEC member economies to promote inclusive development, he noted.

The PM applauded G20 for its unanimous commitment to responsible and efficient management and use of water resources. He also asked G20 members and the international community at large to provide more financial and technological support to developing countries in order to promptly achieve the SDGs.

Vietnam is participating in the G20 Summit as the host of APEC 2017. This is the third time it has taken part in a G20 Summit. In 2010, it was present at the summits in Canada and the Republic of Korea as the chair of ASEAN.

The 2017 G20 Summit in Hamburg has drawn the participation of leaders from G20 member countries and guest countries including Vietnam, Singapore, Spain, Norway, Guinea (the chair of the African Union), and Senegal (the chair of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development). It is also being attended by leaders of leading international organisations such as the UN, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank (WB), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Themed “Shaping an interconnected world”, the summit is focusing on an array of important issues affecting the global economy such as growth, trade, investment, international finance, sustainable development, climate change, energy, support to Africa, migration, health care, employment, digitalisation, and women.