Technical Report on Review and Update of Viet Nam’s Nationally Determined Contribution

Opening Remarks by Ms Akiko Fujii, UNDP Deputy Country Director, at the Consultation Workshop – First Draft of the Technical Report

August 29, 2018

Mr.  Lê Công Thành, Vice Minister of Natural Resources and Environment

Mr. Jörg Rüger, First Secretary of the German Embassy in Hanoi

representatives from the line ministries,

Distinguished partners,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Morning!

I am very pleased to be here with you today to consult on the first draft of technical report on the review and update of Viet Nam’s National Determined Contributions (NDC2). Let me begin by thanking MONRE for your leadership in bringing the NDC Review and Update (NDC2) process to this progress today.

This is a joint collaborative efforts of line ministries, academia and independent experts since Jun 2017. Let me commend the extraordinary collaboration of line ministries, particularly MPI, MOIT, MARD, MOT, MOC, and MOH. This collaboration is the key to help Viet Nam strengthening our future NDC implementation.

The Viet Nam’s NDC update process has benefited from more than 80 senior experts. We are happy to see today a robust technical report that reflects the latest global practices and innovative approaches during the review of our adaptation and mitigation actions in the NDC.

In collaboration with other development partners, the Government of Germany and GIZ in particular, UNDP is happy to see our support clearly contribute to the integrated interventions across sectors.

Ladies and gentlemen,

By the end this year, the UNFCCC will issue a new guidance on the implementation of Paris Agreement, helping countries to prepare for future NDCs. The guidance will help member states to increase ambitions to achieve the long-term goals of the Agreement.

I would like to congratulate Viet Nam for pioneering in reviewing its NDC. The report provides a unique opportunity for Viet Nam to reform its long-term development pathways of sustainable economic growth and to achieve sustainable development goals, while turning the climate change challenges into opportunities during 2021-2030.

In moving forward, I would like to share some recommendations.

First, it is important to have an effective implementation arrangement, including an accountable and coordinated monitoring and reporting system (MRV). This includes clarifying roles and responsibilities of line ministries, provinces, state-own enterprises and private sectors, media, CSOs and academies in the future NDC. UNDP plan work with MONRE on capacity building on transparency will contribute to the establishment of an coordinated MRV mechanism.

Second, right focus and prioritization is essential for delivering the NDC target. The evaluation of the social economic impacts of climate interventions, synergies and co-benefits of both adaptation and mitigation measures will certainly help with prioritization. We need to use planning and budgeting instruments effectively to maximise the limited resources to deliver viable actions in key sectors, regions, and cities.

Finally, the world will not be able to achieve the Paris Agreement objective and Viet Nam will not be able to deliver its NDC target, without the effective engagement of and contribution from private sector. The Government has recognized this important issue, and has made some efforts, but more reforms are needed to create fair and transparent environment to enable private sector investments in climate change actions. Under a UNDP global Programme, UNDP will work with both MPI and MONRE and MPI to explore options and tools in this regard. 

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Globally, UNDPs vision for Sustainable Development through Paris Agreement is “A Climate Resilient, Zero-carbon Future”. I am proud of our strong partnership with Governments to identify options to scale up transformative and sustainable development agenda in the NDC process.

I would like to end by wishing our workshop today a success. Xin Cam On!