On January 12, in Hanoi, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Viet Nam and the Ministry of Environment of Japan organized the 8th Viet Nam - Japan environmental policy dialogue. On this occasion, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on environmental cooperation. This is the basis for the two ministries to continue implementing specific cooperation activities in the coming period.
The Viet Nam - Japan Policy Dialogue session has been periodically jointly organized by the two Ministries for many years. This 8th session marks an important milestone in the cooperation process between the two Ministries when the Memorandum of Understanding between the two Ministries signed in 2020 has expired for 3 years.
*Strengthen cooperation in climate change adaptation
The Ministry of Environment of Japan and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Viet Nam, cooperation between the two ministries has recently achieved specific and practical results, especially in the field of environment and adaptation to climate change.
That is Viet Nam's participation in the JCM Joint Credit Mechanism proposed by the Japanese Government to implement bilateral cooperation with developing countries. To date, more than 40 projects related to the JCM Mechanism have been implemented in Viet Nam, contributing to helping Viet Nam strengthen its capacity to implement Article 6 of the Paris Agreement while promoting the process of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Mr. Yagi Tetsuya, Secretary of State of the Japanese Ministry of Environment, discussed with Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh about priority cooperation issues in the coming time.
Appreciating Japan's initiative on the JCM Mechanism, Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh shared that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is researching to advise the Viet Namese Government to strengthen carbon credit management in Viet Nam. The authorities of the two Ministries also reviewed and proposed amendments and supplements to the Rules and Instructions for implementing the JCM Mechanism in Viet Nam to be consistent with the regulations of the two countries and internationally during the period of 2021-2030, ensuring contributions to commitments under Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and global sustainable development goals.
With the goal of the "Partnership to implement Article 6 of the Paris Agreement (A6IP)" Initiative initiated by the Japanese Minister of Environment in November 2022 at COP27, the Deputy Minister believes that participating in this mechanism will help Viet Nam has learned many experiences to improve Viet Nam's institutions and legal policies; identify the need for support, develop the necessary processes and procedures and create the foundation for further opportunities for cooperation with countries participating in the Paris Agreement.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment proposes that the Japanese Ministry of Environment support training and technical training on reporting and evaluation of the implementation of this Article 6. At the same time, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is currently developing a project to establish a carbon market in Viet Nam, which will be piloted in 2025 and officially operated in 2028. "This is a very new issue for Viet Nam. We hope that the Japanese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will share with us its previous experience in this activity" - Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh expressed.
Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh hopes that the Japanese Ministry of Environment will always support and accompany Viet Nam's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
Discussing the content of adaptation to climate change, Mr. Yagi Tetsuya, Secretary of State of the Japanese Ministry of Environment, informed that the Japanese Ministry of Environment is making efforts to apply early warning measures in Asia-Pacific countries through the public-private partnership model. Talking with Mr. Yagi Tetsuya, Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh said that Viet Nam is always actively interested in building solutions for natural disaster early warning systems. Viet Nam encourages Japanese businesses to participate in the hydrometeorological service market in Viet Nam.
*Join hands to solve pollution
Regarding waste management, according to Mr. Yagi Tetsuya, Japan has supported Viet Nam in equipping infrastructure such as waste treatment works to generate electricity and building regulations for appropriate waste treatment. Continuing with this effort, next March, Japan will hold a technical dialogue to come up with specific cooperation contents. By the fall of 2024, the two sides will organize the 3R Asia-Pacific economic circular forum.
Many cooperation contents were specifically discussed and consensus was reached between the two sides
Sincerely recognizing the achievements of cooperation between the two sides, the clearest evidence is the construction of a waste incineration power generation plant in Bac Ninh, Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh requested Japan to provide more support for Viet Nam on electronic waste management and collection and treatment of minerals in this type of waste. In addition, Viet Nam also needs support in disposing of solar panels after their useful life expires.
Regarding air and water pollution, it is known that in 2023, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment cooperated with the East Asia Acid Deposition Monitoring Network (EANET) to carry out a research project on low-cost sensor equipment (LCS) is manufactured in Japan to expand applications in air quality monitoring. The Deputy Minister hopes that Japan will help Viet Nam continue to participate and promote the development of activities of the East Asia Acid Deposition Monitoring Network (EANET) in the direction of expanding the scope and diversifying the form of activities; Gradually move towards controlling and improving the region's air pollution problem through research projects, training, and capacity building in air quality management; Cooperate in research and application of new monitoring technologies and equipment to develop an air quality monitoring network in both width (number of stations) and depth (types of pollutants).
The two sides will create conditions and promote joint cooperation in the field of environment and climate change adaptation
Many cooperation contents were specifically discussed and consensus was reached between the two sides addition, the Deputy Minister proposed that the Japanese side support contents related to air environment control, including: inventory of emission sources (from major sources of emissions such as traffic, industrial production, construction, agriculture, and people's livelihood); Strengthen the capacity of a number of organizations and units to measure and test emissions of two-wheeled motorbikes; Modernize the automatic, continuous ambient air environment monitoring system, etc.
Regarding water pollution treatment, Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh said that the Law on Water Resources has just been amended and will take effect from July 1, 2024. The new law pays special attention to solving pollution in heavily polluted river sections and streams. “The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will preside over and coordinate with ministries, branches and localities to develop projects to overcome this situation. Viet Nam's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment hopes that the Japanese side will provide valuable experience and experts to support the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in implementing the above projects" - Deputy Minister proposed.
Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh and Mr. Yagi Tetsuya, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Environment of Japan signed a Memorandum of Understanding
Sincerely acknowledging the opinions of Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh, Mr. Yagi Tetsuya, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Environment of Japan, affirmed that the Ministry of Environment of Japan is always ready to cooperate and accompany the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Viet Nam to implement the activities to protect the environment and adapt to climate change.
* On this occasion, representatives of the two ministries, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh and Mr. Yagi Tetsuya, Secretary of State of the Japanese Ministry of Environment, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen, facilitate and promote common cooperation in environmental sector, reaffirming the importance of actions for the rapid and successful implementation of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).