Vietnam, RoK eye broader environment co-operation
VOV.VN - Vietnamese Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh has requested that the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Minister of Environment Han Whajin step up ties with Vietnam in the field of environment.
This boost in linkages between the two countries will serve the cause of sustainable development and the improvement of environment quality for both present and future generations.
During his talks with Minister Han held on November 1 in Hanoi, Minister Khanh applauded the RoK’s green ODA programme, adding that it will be a great help for the country in implementing its net-zero emission commitment by 2050.
He also called for support from the RoK, the host of the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit in 2021, in organising the P4G Summit which will take place in Vietnam ahead in 2025.
Regarding the extended producer responsibility (EPR), the Minister expressed hopes that the RoK Ministry of Environment will continue to support the Vietnamese side in completing and implementing EPR regulations, including providing EPR implementation consultations. This is along with supporting the building and management of EPR implementation monitoring database and sharing experience in EPR realisation.
For issues related to the circular economy, Minister Khanh proposed that the RoK support the Vietnamese side in building and issuing guidance on the application of Best Available Techniques (BAT), as well as reviewing, updating, and supplementing the BAT list to ensure compatibility with reality and the level of development of science and technology in the nation. In addition, guiding the application of BAT will also be an area of support, particularly in terms of type of production, business, and service with a risk of causing environmental pollution.
For her part, Minister Han underscored the significance of this year’s talks after five years of disruption due to the impact of COVID-19.
Noting that the RoK has announced the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050 and setting the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 compared to 2018, while Vietnam is also striving to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, Minister Han outlined confidence that the two sides will continue to make joint efforts on many fronts to cut carbon emissions through expanding ties in global emissions reduction projects.
She said she hopes that the country will enjoy greater attention and stronger co-ordination on projects in waste-to-energy and, biofuel converting areas.
The RoK will provide the nation with assistance in experts, technology, and experience so that both sides can implement international commitments in the fields of environmental protection and climate change response towards sustainable development together.
During the course of talks the two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding on comprehensive co-operation in the field of environment between the two ministries, which is expected to become a new motivation for the growth of collaboration between the two ministries as well as the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
