Climate change response an inevitable path of sustainable development: ambassador
The implementation of climate change response and green energy transition is an inevitable path of sustainable development, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Vietnam’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, told the UN Develop Programme (UNDP)’s high-level dialogue on development priorities in the Asia-Pacific in 2023 held on February 16.
Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Vietnam’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (R). (Photo: VNA)
New York (VNA) - The implementation of climate change response andgreen energy transition is an inevitable path of sustainable development,Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Vietnam’s Permanent Representative to the UnitedNations, told the UN Develop Programme (UNDP)’s high-level dialogue ondevelopment priorities in the Asia-Pacific in 2023 held on February 16.
From Vietnam's experience over the past time, the ambassadorsaid that a strong commitment to climate change response should come from along-term vision, through an approach that puts people at the centre and isalso mastered by them, good governance, and strengthening international cooperationfor financial mobilisation and technology transfer, capacity building and mitigationof climate change impacts.
He also shared his concern aboutthe slow progress of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) inthe Asia-Pacific region due to the impact of the multi-dimensional crisis, and stressed the need for a new approach and to seek feasible measures inthe near future.
An overview of the dialogue. (Photo: VNA)
Kanni Wignaraja, UN Assistant Secretary-General and AssistantAdministrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific ofthe UNDP, appreciated Vietnam's consistent policy and commitment to climatechange response in general and energy transition in particular.
At the dialogue, delegates agreed that global challengessuch as epidemics, conflicts, and economic, food and energy crises havenegatively affected the implementation of the SDGs, economic recovery and climate change response in the region.
They also exchanged views on challenges and measures topromote climate action and energy transition in the context of having tosimultaneously respond to many urgent risks, towards achieving the SDGs./.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Ca Mau provincial Union of Friendship Organisations on December 20 kick-started a project on improving climate resilience of mangrove and agro-ecosystems and communities in the coastal areas of the Mekong Delta.
Vietnam is playing an important role in the global efforts in response to climate change, affirmed Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Climate Action and Just Transition Selwin Hart.
Vietnam wishes UNDP will continue to give advice to and support Vietnam in terms of health care, bidding and procurement of medicines and medical equipment, and marine spatial planning, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha told UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam Ramla Khalidi.
Localities in the Mekong Delta region are working hard to increase their urban areas’ adaptability to climate change, and boost urban development to green and sustainable direction.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
The facility was established in response to a growing shift in the Filipino labour force from the Middle East to Japan, where workers are seeking safer working environments.
In the latest Indonesia-US trade agreement in July, the US administration agreed to reduce the reciprocal tariff, which was initially set at 32% by US President Donald Trump last April, to 19%.
Real estate agency ERA Singapore estimated that there are 2,703 condo developments in Singapore today, of which 836 or 31% are at least 30 years old. In 10 years, this number is expected to climb to 1,160, assuming none is sold en bloc.
Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Vietnam’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (R). (Photo: VNA) 
An overview of the dialogue. (Photo: VNA) 
