Vietnam, USAID ink broad spectrum pact to fight climate change

USAID’s collaboration with the ministry will focus on air quality management, integrated water resource management and water security, conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, ocean plastic, solid waste management and recycling, and reduction of emissions responsible for climate change.

“The MOU will help facilitate the effective collaboration between USAID and the ministry on climate change and environmental pollution and take us one step closer to bringing greater environmental awareness and change for Vietnam’s citizens and economy,” USAID’s Vietnam Mission Director Ann Marie Yastishock said at the signing ceremony in Hanoi.

Vietnam has been ranked among the top five countries likely to be most affected by climate change by the World Bank. A high proportion of the country’s population and economic assets are located in coastal lowlands and deltas, which are subject to frequent typhoons, floods, droughts, and landslides.

In addition, Vietnam faces a series of environmental pollution challenges largely caused by intensive agriculture, transportation, and industry.

“The recent COP26 meetings in the U.K. aimed to accelerate humanity’s cooperation on climate change and underscored the importance of collective action to preserve and protect our environment and planet,” Yastishock said.

USAID applauds the commitments made by Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at COP26, and is ready to support Vietnam to reach those “important goals,” she added.

Attending the 2021 U.N. Climate Change Conference late last year, PM Chinh said Vietnam needs the support of the international community in terms of funding and technology, and implementing the Paris Climate Accords, a global treaty on climate change that was adopted in 2015, so that it could achieve its net-zero climate target by 2050.

The USAID said in a statement that it believes solving complex environmental issues is a long-term process that requires strong collaboration and joint action from Vietnam entities, citizens, the private sector, and local organizations, which all have common concerns and share mutual benefits of addressing specific environmental pollution issues.