Vietnam calls for addressing climate change issues

According to a VNA correspondent in Switzerland, within the framework of the 56th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UN) in Geneva, Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to the UN, spoke on behalf of the Core Group on the Resolution on Human Rights and Climate Change - including Vietnam, Bangladesh, and the Philippines - at a discussion session on the topic of ensuring sustainable livelihoods against the impacts of climate change.

Ambassador Mai Phan Dung speaks on behalf of the Core Group. Photo: Anh Hien/ VNA reporter in Geneva

Ambassador Mai Phan Dung affirmed that ensuring sustainable livelihoods, especially for vulnerable groups affected by climate change, is a top priority for developing countries. Climate change and extreme weather events are increasingly causing great damage to homes, ecosystems, and infrastructure, while weakening the economy and affecting the enjoyment of basic human rights, especially for vulnerable groups. Ambassador Mai Phan Dung urged the international community to strengthen cooperation to effectively address the impacts of climate change on people's livelihoods. At the same time, he also called for the effective operation of the Loss and Damage Fund (established at COP 28) to provide necessary financial resources for communities affected by climate change, especially in developing countries. In addition, Ambassador Mai Phan Dung proposed a number of solutions to address the above challenges. Specifically, implementing people-first policies, empowering local communities through education, resources and adaptation strategies; promoting sustainable practices in agriculture and fisheries to ensure food security and sustainable livelihoods; and integrating climate adaptation into social protection programs to enhance the resilience of vulnerable populations.

Afterwards, speaking at the dialogue session with the Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change on July 2, Ambassador Mai Phan Dung asked the Special Rapporteur to clarify the effectiveness of integrating the linkages between fields of activity into climate change policies and measures to replicate good lessons to ensure meaningful participation of vulnerable groups in climate change activities. He also asked the Special Rapporteur to propose solutions to strengthen coordination between relevant parties to promote and protect human rights in the context of climate change. Responding to climate change is one of Vietnam's top priorities. Our country has had many drastic policies and action programs to respond to climate change; and has made strong international commitments on this issue, including a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions towards the goal of net zero emissions by 2050. At the UN Human Rights Council, Vietnam is a member of the Core Group, together with Bangladesh and the Philippines, introducing the annual resolution on climate change and human rights. At this session of the UN Human Rights Council, Vietnam will represent the Core Group to introduce a resolution on the topic of a just transition.

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