Việt Nam shares efforts towards Asia Zero Emission Community

The launch ceremony of the Asia Zero Emission Centre. — VNA/VNS Photo

JAKARTA — Việt Nam joined ten other member countries of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) at the second AZEC Ministerial Meeting held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on August 21.

The event aimed to look into the countries’ efforts to pursue the targets of net zero emissions, encourage businesses to engage in decarbonisation efforts, and hold a business matching forum to enhance cooperation in the future.

In his opening remarks, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said AZEC is a venue for governmental organisations, leaders of sectors, and experts to discuss and affirm the importance of renewable energy and sustainable practices in all fields around the world.

Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Saito Ken said the strength of AZEC is the partnership between the public and private sectors, adding that 350 decarbonisation projects and 100 memoranda of understanding (MoU) have been carried out in the region so far.

As many as 70 new MoUs were signed at the meeting, which also recorded many significant results, including a joint statement of the second AZEC Ministerial Meeting, the publication of an MoU for the new AZEC project, and the organisation of the AZEC Business Forum.

In particular, the launch of the Asian Zero Emission Centre on this occasion aimed to encourage the participation of business entities in decarbonisation efforts as well as a business matching forum to strengthen collaboration in the future.

At the business forum held as part of the meeting, Việt Nam shared its efforts in efficient energy use to achieve net-zero targets.

Phạm Văn Tấn, deputy director of the Climate Change Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said that Việt Nam and its partner Japan have identified more than 80 projects that could be implemented within the AZEC framework.

Japanese businesses and AZEC member countries will work with the Vietnamese Government and partners to carry out those projects in the time ahead, he noted.

AZEC is part of the emissions reduction initiative first initiated by the Japanese Prime Minister at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, the UK. It was officially launched at the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia, in 2022.

The AZEC members consist of Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Việt Nam. — VNS