Vietnam and the European Union (EU) shared experiences in coping with climate change at a training workshop which opened in central Da Nang city on September 14.
The function was attended by representatives of the EU delegation in Vietnam, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment, and over 80 others from central localities – the region most vulnerable to climate change in the country.
Political advisor at the EU delegation Elina Praakel said Vietnam and the EU have made progress in their relations over recent years, especially the official signing of the framework agreement on partnership and cooperation (PCA) and the beginning of negotiations on the Vietnam-EU free trade area.
However, both sides are facing an array of challenges, including climate change. Climate change, renewable energy and environmental protection are priority areas in which the EU and Vietnam are fostering cooperation and sharing experience, she added.
The two-day training workshop was a forum to share both sides’ policies and expertise in coping with climate change and dealing with environmental and energy issues, Praakel noted.
Vietnam is one of the five countries most vulnerable to climate change and as such, developing capacity to realise domestic policy measures responding to climate change is urgent.
The local Government has designed a plan to boost scientific research cooperation with EU members with a view of building and implementing climate change adaptation, green growth and sustainable development projects.
Participants were also given in-depth knowledge on the EU’s organisation and operations, the PCA and emerging matters in bilateral ties at the function.-VNA