Vietnam joins global fight against climate change

At the summit, Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh reaffirmed Vietnam's commitments on climate change mitigation. He said, "Vietnam pledges to work closely with international partners during the climate change negotiations so that the goals of UN Framework Convention on Climate Change will be met. Vietnam will also attempt to promote the negotiation process at the 21st Conference of the Parties on Climate Change 2015 in Paris (COP21)."

Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh spoke at the United Nations Summit in New York, USA on September 23.

On behalf of many developing countries, the deputy PM asked developed countries to follow their commitments on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and support developing countries with funds and technology.

US President Barack Obama said that the United States would introduce new policies such as mandatory environmental sustainability for all international programmes. "We will do our part and we will help developing nations do theirs. But we can only succeed in combating climate change if we are joined in this effort by every nation, developed and developing alike. Nobody gets a pass," he said.

US President Barack Obama speaking at the event.

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli did not make any commitments on taking solid action against climate change, but promised to increase their contribution to UN funds to advance South-South cooperation on climate change.

According to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the summit is a place for politicians, business leaders as well as environmental and social organisations to meet and discuss the topics and challenges facing the world. The summit's goal is to create a common ground so that parties taking part in the upcoming 21st Conference of the Parties on Climate Change 2015 in Paris will be able to finalise deals and make commitments to mitigate climate change.

Hundreds of billions of USD were committed to the Green Climate Fund, including USD1 billion each from France and Germany, USD100 million from South Korea and USD10 million from Mexico. The EU pledged USD3 billion to help developing nations through 2020, other governments and organisations also announced a plan to secure USD200 billion for promoting environmental friendly activities.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha, a member of the Vietnamese delegation, said this would be a chance for Vietnam to realise its pledges and cooperate with international organisations.