COP27: Vietnam highlights importance of energy transition in climate change response

A picture shows an artwork at the Green Zone during the COP27 climate summit at the Sharm El Sheikh International Convention Centre, in Egypt's Red Sea resort of the same name, on Monday, November 7, 2022. - AFP

HANOI, Nov 7 (Bernama): Vietnam has called on United Kingdom, European Union (EU) and Group of Seven (G7) member countries to support the transfer of advanced technologies related to wind and solar power to Vietnam, to help the Asean member state to successfully implement energy transition in ensuring affordable prices for everyone.

Vietnam’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha highlighted the matter during a working session held on Sunday with President of COP26 (the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference), Alok Sharma who represented the United Kingdom, EU and G7 at the sidelines of the ongoing 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt.

During the meeting, the minister said that energy transition is a key factor for Vietnam to realise the goal of bringing the net gas emissions to zero by 2050 which was committed at COP26 last year.

"The development of renewable energies must go in line with ensuring energy security,” he was quoted as saying by Vietnam News Agency.

Ha however said Vietnam is still facing many difficulties as it is home to a lot of coal-fired power plants built long time ago.

Meanwhile, Alok Sharma welcomed Vietnam's strong commitment to energy transition of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, agreeing to continue the negotiations to come to an agreement harmoniously ensuring both sides’ interests.

The two sides also exchanged views on how to enhance mutual understanding, and agreed that the two parties need to have political commitments on energy transition.

The Vietnamese delegation to COP27, to last until Nov 18, is scheduled to attend the opening session and the plenary one, and have bilateral and multilateral working sessions to promote the implementation of the commitments on climate change.

This year's COP27 in Egypt, which kicked off after a year of devastating natural disasters and energy crisis, will focus on industrialised countries' commitment on tackling global warming, requesting wealthy countries to honour their pledges of financing developing countries on the climate issue will be top focus of the summit. - Bernama