HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam wants the Global Environment Fund (GEF) to continue helping in addressing environment-related issues, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc said during his reception for GEF CEO and Chairperson Naoko Ishii in Hà Nội on Wednesday. 

He thanked the GEF Secretariat for selecting Việt Nam as the host of the GEF’s sixth Assembly, which, he said, showed the fund’s appreciation for Việt Nam and the country’s role, contributions and commitments to collaborating with the international community to solve global environmental issues. 
Việt Nam attaches importance to environmental issues in national development, the PM affirmed, adding that the country hopes to intensify cooperation with GEF. 
Regarding the organisation of the GEF Assembly and related events, the government leader told his guest that he had assigned the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to coordinate with GEF on preparatory work. 
He also expressed his hope that GEF maintains its assistance for Việt Nam, especially in realising environment-related targets and Sustainable Development Goals, building sustainable financial policies and mechanisms to preserve biodiversity through the involvement of the community and the private sector, and transferring technology related to sustainable energy, and implementing measures to deal with climate change. 
Việt Nam also wishes to receive GEF’s help in implementing forest ecosystems and production services, ensuring food security at the local level in the context of implementing the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, and boosting green economy opportunities. 
The Government leader said he hopes GEF will implement projects to help the country tackle ocean waste and address climate change and rising sea levels in the Mekong Delta. 
Nakao Ishii said that GEF needs cooperation from foreign governments and businesses around the world in addressing global environmental issues. 
She appreciated that Việt Nam is making positive changes to tackle environmental issues, but still faces a number of challenges. 
GEF commits to supporting Việt Nam in addressing these challenges, she stated, stressing the important role of the Vietnamese Government, Prime Minister and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in the work. — VNS