VietNamNet had an interview with Ms. Holly Lindquist Thomas, Director of the Office of Multilateral Affairs, East Asia and Pacific Affairs Bureau, US Department of State, about the Mekong-US partnership as well as cooperation between Vietnam and the US in the field of climate change response.

Ms. Holly Lindquist Thomas, how do you evaluate the Mekong-US partnership in responding to climate change in the past and in the near future?

Climate change is a huge problem that we all face around the world , and we need to do more to address it. So the United States and the Mekong region are working together in a bilateral partnership to try to address it.

Some of the things we are doing are implementing water management programs to help address the issue of salinity intrusion, especially in the Mekong Delta. We are also working on the issue of groundwater levels. The groundwater is dropping, people are not able to get water from the sources they used to use.

There are also other challenges that people face, such as rising temperatures. This affects not only the water in rivers and lakes, but also their livelihoods. So together with the Mekong countries, we are working to address these issues through various programs.

How do you evaluate the cooperation between Vietnam and the US in this field?

A great partnership. We work closely with Vietnam, especially now that the two countries have upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Within the framework of the Mekong-US partnership, Vietnam is a leading country, always promoting cooperation as well as action for support funds. I think, especially in the area of gender, women's empowerment programs and the like, not only impact Vietnam but also impact the entire Mekong sub-region.

Therefore, we are very satisfied with the cooperative relationship with Vietnam as well as with countries in the region, Vietnam is an excellent partner.

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Ms. Holly Lindquist Thomas, Director of the Office of Multilateral Affairs, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, US Department of State

What strategies are needed for Vietnam to leverage green finance from international investors to develop a green economy and create sustainability?

This is not really my area of expertise, but I know there are partnerships to get more finance for climate issues, and this is something that we and a number of other countries are involved in to help finance sustainable and adaptive solutions to climate change.

This is particularly relevant in the energy sector, in increasing renewable energy, phasing out coal plants and addressing some of the issues we all face as we move to the next generation of energy sources.

What about clean energy? What recommendations do you have to help Vietnam attract international resources?

Vietnam has abundant natural resources such as wind and solar. In terms of attracting investment, it is always necessary to look at whether the environment is favorable for American companies and other large multinational corporations to enter Vietnam to operate and cooperate with Vietnamese companies, and to quickly establish the system they desire in a way that is beneficial to both sides.

So I think the enabling environment is really important. You know, there are a number of companies, not just in energy, that want to tap into some of that renewable energy as well.

I think Vietnam has done very well but can do more to promote partnerships and ensure that partners can use all renewable energy sources.

In your opinion, what specific actions are needed for Vietnam to achieve breakthrough success in the field of clean energy transition?

I think it's still the enabling environment that I mentioned earlier and making sure that the regulations are applied properly, that allows companies to operate, not just in terms of wind turbines or solar farms, but also the ability to put that energy into the grid and be able to move that energy to where it's needed.

So I think Vietnam can do more to create favorable conditions. I know that to some extent ASEAN is interested in a regional power grid. And I think Vietnam has a lot of potential to become a key player in the regional grid.

Vietnam needs to look to the future and be really ambitious about the energy transition and see it as an opportunity for economic growth and an opportunity to reduce carbon emissions. Vietnam will quickly become a leader in some of the technologies involved in this area.