Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Lê Công Thành (centre) chairs a press conference as part of the 24th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP24) in Katowice, Poland, on Wednesday.  — Photo baotainguyenmoitruong.vn

KATOWICE — Việt Nam has called on countries around the world to act in a spirit of co-operation and harmonise their interests with international concerns to cope with climate change.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Lê Công Thành made the appeal while addressing the closing session of the Talanoa Dialogue, which formed part of the 24th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP24) in Katowice, Poland, on Wednesday evening (local time).

He said that since the Paris Agreement on climate change was adopted three years ago, the international community has made all-out efforts to realise the pact, including building the Paris Agreement Work Programme.

Thành suggested international commitments within the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement should be intensified and not reversed, renegotiated, nor deliberately misunderstood as climate change remains a global responsibility.

Developed countries should make strong, clear commitments to provide finance, transfer technologies and enhance capacity for developing nations to help them implement the agreement, turning nationally-determined contribution (NDC) partnership into reality, he said.

The deputy minister stressed pre-2020 climate actions are significant in narrowing the gaps of greenhouse gas emissions, calling on countries that have yet to adopt the Doha Amendment to complete ratification procedures.

The move aims to consolidate trust between concerned parties and create momentum for post-2020 climate actions, he said.

Việt Nam has set forth a plan to carry out the Paris Agreement, focusing on the implementation of the NDCs towards targets of cutting greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to climate change and increasing national resistance.

The work has also been integrated into socio-economic development by administrations at all levels, sectors, businesses, communities and citizens, Thành said.

Việt Nam has kicked off the NDC update as requested at COP21, and begun the building of the third national notice, which is expected to be completed in 2019.

The country will set a clear roadmap on climate change response, contributing to global efforts, he added. — VNS