Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has pinpointed Vietnam’s response
to climate change as one of the top national tasks as it has caused
natural calamities in the country, resulting in serious losses of human
life and property.
Addressing the third forum on disaster risk
mitigation and climate change adaptation in Hanoi on October 10, Deputy
PM Hai said that Vietnam joined and adopted the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change and Kyoto Protocol.
The
country listed 62 projects on climate change adaptation that it will
kick-start soon, 16 of them will begin this year, involving efforts to
minimise the risk of flooding, salt intrusion and landslides, Hai noted.
Cao Duc Phat, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
who heads the National Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention
and Control, said despite frequent occurrences of disasters over the
past five years, human losses are down 8 percent and the number of
injured fell by 17 percent thanks to the Government, ministries and
agencies’ efforts.
To better adapt to climate change, Minister
of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Minh Quang said Vietnam is
looking to reduce poverty, ensure gender equality and social welfare,
protect natural resources and raise public awareness of climate change
adaptation.
Priority will be given to monitoring climate change and weather forecasting.
Participants discussed legal frameworks, coordination mechanisms
among ministries, sponsors and relevant agencies in the response.
The event was co-hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.-VNA