A seminar on energy policy for the 21st century and challenges to
Vietnam and Germany was held in Hanoi on March 7.
The event was co-organised by the Central Institute for Economic
Management (CIEM) and Germany’s Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)
institute during a visit by Dr. Matthias Machnig, Minister for Economy,
Labour and Technology of the German state of Thueringen.
Speaking at the event, Machnig highlighted the role of energy in the
21st century, saying that the global economy should go in the
direction of sustainable development and “green growth.”
Such a change requires the re-organisation of production systems, consumption structures and people’s lifestyle, he said.
In addition to sharing his country’s policy on energy production and
consumption, the minister recommended a number of policies on the use of
renewable energy and the reduction of greenhouse effects in Vietnam.
He emphasised the need to have clear policies and strong economic tools in the green growth strategy.
With a long coastline, Vietnam is capable of generating energy
from wind, Machnig said, adding that the abundant bio-mass resources in
rural areas should be utilized for renewable energy.
Vo Tri Thanh, deputy head of the CIEM, briefed about the energy
production and consumption situation in Vietnam and difficulties
facing the country in the field. -VNA