Vietnam values international cooperation in joint efforts to respond to climate change

As a country particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, Vietnam attaches great importance to cooperation with other countries and international organisations in joint efforts against environmental and climate change challenges.
Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu delivers an opening speech for the writeshop.
Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu delivers an opening speech for the writeshop.

The statement was made by Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu at the opening session of the legal and technical writeshop in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province, on March 16, to look into the proceedings of International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion on climate change.

The two-day event was held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vanuatuan Government, aiming to introduce an overview of the proceedings of and significance of the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion on climate change based on Resolution No.77/276 dated March 29, 2023 of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

At the event, the delegates discuss key legal aspects of the Advisory Opinion, the contributions that Asia-Pacific countries can make, and technical support for the countries to effectively participate in the proceedings of the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion.

Addressing the writeshop this morning, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu said the event is an opportunity for legal experts from the countries in the region to discuss, seek ideas, and consolidate arguments to ensure national interests in climate change adaptation while responding to the legal questions considered by the ICJ.

In addition, the event can create a networking forum to promote cooperation among international legal experts in the region, and consolidate the voice of Asia-Pacific countries in dealing with global problems.

Attorney General of Vanuatu Arnold Kiel Loughman stressed that the implementation of effective measures to respond to climate change is the moral responsibility of the international community and is also the aim of the writeshop.

The delegates attending the event.

The delegates attending the event.

According to Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN, about 80 countries have made submissions to officially engage in the proceedings of the ICJ’s advisory opinion to date.

The proceedings the ICJ also shows the international community's respect for Vietnam's role and contribution to climate change response, including its recent strong commitments at international forums, said Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang.

To assist countries in making submissions to engage in the ICJ’s advisory opinion, a number of technical assistance workshops have been organised in other regions of the world. Last year, Fiji was the host of the workshop for the Pacific region.

NDO