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Being one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, Việt Nam has suffered an annual loss that makes up about 1.5% of its GDP due to natural disasters. Over 10 years (2001 - 2010), more than 9,500 people were killed by tropical storms, landslides, land erosions, flood, droughts and saline intrusion.
The Prime Minister has issued decision No. 2139/QĐ-TTg approving the national strategy for climate change.
The decision states that climate change response is vital to Việt Nam as it will be heavily affected by climate change as said by experts in the field.
Once the sea level rises by 1m, 40% of the Mekong river delta, 11% of the Red river delta and 3% of coastal delta will be submerged. About 10-12% of Việt Nam’s population will be directly affected and 10% of national GDP will be lost.
National strategy for climate change sets forth concrete objectives
First, efforts should be made to ensure food security, energy security, water source security, poverty reduction, gender equality, social security, community health and natural resource protection.
Second, low carbon economy and green growth should become a leading trend in sustainable development.
Third, it’ s necessary to enhance awareness, responsibility and capacity to respond to climate change, while developing scientific and technological abilities, human resources, policies and mechanism. Climate change opportunities should be utilized for socio-economic development.
Fourth, Việt Nam will make active contributions to international efforts to address climate change issues.
A climate change and sea rise monitoring system should be set up by 2015 to minimize losses. In addition, development planning, construction standards in disaster-prone areas and anti-disaster projects should be worked out.
Afforestation, efficient utilization of forests, measures to fight dissertation, and salt intrusion, and management of wetland and submerged eco-system should be strengthened. Việt Nam is set to increase forest coverage to 45% by 2020.
To realize its strategy as well as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and other international treaties, Vietnam expects to gain closer cooperation from other countries and international organizations.
Ngọc Vân
(MONRE)