Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính speaks at a meeting with Alok Sharma, President for 2021 UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Hà Nội on Friday. VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính said Việt Nam sees green growth as crucial to the country’s future during a meeting with a visiting British politician.

The PM met with UK government minister and President for the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) Alok Sharma on Friday in Hà Nội.

The Government leader said that as a country heavily affected by climate change, despite its limited resources, Việt Nam sees green growth as a key goal in its development strategy and is aiming towards a gradual green transformation that takes into account the jobs and lives of the workers affected.

He said Việt Nam was always proactive with its international commitments and appreciated the UK’s efforts in holding the COP26 conference, which is slated for November in Glasgow. He said Việt Nam was willing to work with the UK to ensure the success of the conference with stronger commitments to support developing countries in implementing the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, especially in accessing financial resources and transferring technology.

PM Chính welcomed the visit of the minister and asked him to promote the effective implementation of bilateral economic agreements and encourage British businesses to invest in Việt Nam, especially in areas where the UK has strengths such as clean energy.

He also suggested that the UK government continues to support Việt Nam with finance, technology, and experience in transforming to a low-carbon economy and improving its ability to adapt to climate change.

The Prime Minister also asked the UK government to help create more conditions for the supply of COVID-19 vaccines and to consider facilitating the transfer of vaccine production technology.

Sharma said Việt Nam was an important working partner of the UK government to prepare for the COP26 conference and welcomed the country’s commitment to multilateral frameworks on climate change.

He also praised Việt Nam's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adding that the UK would continue to support Việt Nam in responding to climate change, including accelerating the development of green energy.

Sharma, on behalf of British PM Boris Johnson, invited PM Chính to attend the conference. — VNS