(MPI) - Minister Nguyen Chi Dung chaired the “Launching Conference for Vietnam Green Growth Strategy for the period 2021-2030, vision to 2050” at the headquarters of the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) on October 29th, 2021.

In light of the approved orientation, the National Green Growth Strategy (VGGS) was developed on the basis of extensive and intensive consultations with stakeholders in ways consistent with recent COVID-19 pandemic prevention regulations. The development of the Strategy received strong support, cooperation and inputs from ministries, sectors, localities, relevant industry associations, embassies, international organizations, and development partners. By acknowledging and taking into consideration the inputs from stakeholders, the MPI has completed the VGGS and submitted it to the Prime Minister for promulgation under Decision No. 1658/QD-TTg dated October 1^st, 2021.

Introducing some highlights of the Strategy, Le Viet Anh, Director of the Department of Science, Education, Natural Resources and Environment, MPI said that the VGGS sets four important goals, namely: Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Greening economic sectors; Greening lifestyles and promoting sustainable consumption, and Greening the transition. In particular, the first objective of VGGS is to reduce the intensity of GHG emissions per GDP, which was also the objective of the previous strategy. This aims to assess comparative GHG emission mitigation potential per unit of economic output, helping to determine the extent of environmentally-friendliness of the economy as its size is increasing, contributing to realizing the dual goal of protecting environment and developing “rapidly and sustainably”. Under VGGS, by 2030, the intensity of GHG emissions per GDP is expected to decrease by at least 15% compared to that of 2014. By 2050, the intensity of GHG emissions per GDP is hoped to reduce at least 30% compared to that of 2014.

At the conference, representatives from ministries, sectors, localities, embassies, international organizations, development partners and businesses spoke highly of the new approach which was employed to determine the feasibility of the goals set forth in VGGS. They also agreed with the plan and roadmap for the implementation of VGGS and believed that the Strategy would help realize the goals that Vietnam had set for 2030 and 2045.

To conclude the meeting, Minister Nguyen Chi Dung emphasized the importance of collaboration during the implementation process, saying the support and close coordination of ministries, sectors, domestic and international organizations, the business community and experts play a fundamental role to ensure that the implementation of the VGGS adheres to the views and orientations of the Resolution of the 13^th National Party Congress, the 10-year socio-economic development strategy 2021-2030, and the 5-year socio-economic development plan 2021-2025.

Following the conference, the MPI will preside over and coordinate with ministries, sectors and localities to research and propose to the Prime Minister to establish a National Steering Committee on Green Growth, make arrangements to devise a National Green Growth Action Plan and implement other important contents.

The approval of VGGS on the threshold of the 26^th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, UK, which will take place in the next few days, has demonstrated Vietnam’s strong commitment of reducing GHG emissions through practical and concrete actions; commitment of joining hands with the world to address challenges and reduce the impact of climate change. This is imperative for a safe, prosperous and harmonious life of social and environmental needs.

As stated by Minister Nguyen Chi Dung, initially, it is important to well implement the goals of VGGS, then evaluating and further completing for better in the near future. The most importance is how to successfully implement the Strategy. Accordingly, an action plan with legal frameworks and specific detailed instructions must be soon issued so that ministries, sectors, localities, business community and people could understand, raise awareness and have specific actions, and basis for monitoring the criteria to evaluate the achieved and not achieved results.

Regarding cooperation and sharing between the central and localities, the State and private sector, the domestic and international area, Minister Dung said that the cooperation, support, sharing of experiences, knowledge and new knowledge in all aspects of the economy and society were elementary to achieve green growth and receive the companionship of relevant international organizations, contributing to the successful implementation of this Strategy. He also recommended ministries and sectors to closely coordinate in the implementation, capacity enhancement, and encouragement of the private sector to take full advantages of the ODA capital.

Minister Nguyen Chi Dung affirmed that this Launching Conference was a very important starting point, demonstrating high consensus on actions to be rolled out to effectively implement the tasks and measures of VGGS for the 2021-2030 period, vision 2050. He also stressed the essential role of communication agencies in conveying full objectives, meaning and position of the VGGS so that all of the people, political system and business community canunderstand and take specific and realistic actions, aiming for a sustainable development./.

Source: Ministry of Planning and Investment Portal (mpi.gov.vn)

See also: Vietnam"s green growth strategy contributes to post-COVID-19 economic recovery (vir.com.vn)