Vietnam joins efforts on sustainable management and exploitation of critical minerals

Speaking at a session presenting a report of the UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals chaired by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed in New York on November 5,  the Vietnamese diplomat emphasised that when energy transition becomes an inevitable trend, the instruction of international standards and guidelines on critical minerals is necessary to help developing countries benefit more from mineral exploitation and participate more equally in the value chain.

Furthermore, the countries can better take advantage of opportunities that the critical minerals bring to the energy transition and sustainable development.

The results of the panel’s work therefore creates a basis for promoting international co-operation to ensure a sustainable supply chain of critical minerals, he said, noting that it is also necessary to ensure the principle of respecting independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in accordance with the conditions and circumstances of each country.

Vietnam proposed that in order to implement the next steps, the UN needs to conduct consultation and discussion with member countries on the content of the report and continue to update the implementation process, he said.

The Ambassador stressed that Vietnam has supported the Secretary-General’s initiative from the beginning, particularly given the importance of the issue to the implementation of Vietnam’s climate action and the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

The nation stands ready to continue to actively participate in the next steps of this process.