Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Trần Hồng Hà (first, right) had a working session on Sunday with President for COP26 Alok Sharma. — VNA/VNS Photo

CAIRO — Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Trần Hồng Hà said that energy transition is a key factor for Việt Nam to realise the goal of bringing the net gas emissions to zero by 2050 that it committed at COP26 last year.

He made the statement at a working session on Sunday (local time) with President for COP26 Alok Sharma, who represents the United Kingdom, the European Union and the Group of Seven (G7).

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the ongoing 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt.

Minister Hà said that however, in this work, Việt Nam is still facing many difficulties as it is home to a lot of coal-fired power plants built a long time ago.

The development of renewable energies must go in line with ensuring energy security, the minister stressed, proposing the UK, the EU and G7 countries to support the transfer of advanced technologies related to wind and solar power to Việt Nam to help the country successfully implement the energy transition, ensuring affordable prices for everyone.

Alok Sharma welcomed Việt Nam'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 the event, to last until November 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. — VNS