US to help Vietnam meet key COP26 commitment: climate envoy

Kerry’s reaffirmation got here in talks held with Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Hanoi, a overseas ministry press launch mentioned Wednesday.

Kerry, who’s paying a four-day (Feb. 22-25) go to to Vietnam, mentioned the U.S. stood prepared to help Vietnam in reviewing, adjusting its technique and planning in the direction of the purpose of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, a key dedication introduced by Vietnam’s leaders on the COP26 meet within the U.Okay. final November.

Kerry mentioned the U.S. will proceed to work carefully with Vietnam on particular and well timed measures, particularly in creating renewable power and decreasing emissions, formulating insurance policies to part out coal energy and creating sustainable infrastructure.

He mentioned the U.S. might help Vietnam in transitioning to a clear power mannequin, particularly by means of photo voltaic power.

He harassed the significance of this transfer, on condition that rising sea ranges are more likely to severely impression the Mekong Delta and different low-lying areas in Vietnam.

President Phuc mentioned Vietnam thought-about local weather change response an space of strategic cooperation between the 2 international locations. He requested the U.S. to extend monetary and technical assist to assist Vietnam fulfill commitments made at COP26 and to maneuver in the direction of establishing an equitable power transition partnership with various companions, together with the U.S.

In an occasion hosted by the USAID later, Kerry informed the media that “President Biden could be very dedicated to serving to Vietnam in an enormous approach to transition from coal to new applied sciences.”

Authorities choices ought to assist transfer in that route, he mentioned.

Vietnam can have a really balanced energy sector, combining hydropower, wind energy and solar energy, he mentioned, including it additionally has potential to develop its offshore capability for wind energy.

“Vietnam has a very good story to inform concerning the future.”

Kerry additionally attended a ceremony Wednesday the place the Innovation Problem Fund (ICF) was introduced, saying it might play an necessary position in tackling local weather change challenges.

The ICF is a part of Vietnam City Vitality Safety, a four-year, $14 million USAID-funded undertaking that goals at bettering frameworks, mobilizing funding and growing the adoption of revolutionary options for superior, distributed power in city areas.

With a $2 million allocation, the ICF targets funding 20 pilot tasks and/or demonstrations of recent merchandise, enterprise fashions or financing fashions for superior city power techniques in Da Nang and/or HCMC. Profitable candidates will obtain funding of as much as $100,000.

Kerry additionally emphasised the necessary position of the Vietnam Low Emission Vitality Program undertaking that the U.S. is funding to the tune of $36 million. Underneath this undertaking, USAID will assist Vietnam proceed its transition to a clear, safe and market-based power sector by growing the deployment of superior power techniques, bettering power sector efficiency, and growing competitors within the power sector.

Each Vietnam and the U.S. will attend the COP27 assembly in Egypt this November.