On December 2, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh spoke at the seminar on speeding up the power transition chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron, an event within the framework of COP28 (28th United Nations Climate Change Conference).

State leaders all emphasized the urgent need to reduce reliance on coal-fired power and accelerate the power transition and renewable energy development.

Macron stressed that it is impossible to ask developing countries to choose between energy transition and economic development. Leaders said that countries will build effective tools to support and speed up the transition.

Chinh said Vietnam, like other developing countries, does not deny the role of coal-fired power, but now is the right time to shift to using cleaner energy sources.

He said that it was a strategic benefit and top priority for all countries. However, while implementing the transition, countries need to maintain economic growth, and ensure national energy security and work for people.

Vietnam will improve its institutional regime, legal frameworks and policies for transition to renewable energy with a roadmap and steps suitable to Vietnam’s conditions.

In addition, the Prime Minister thanked G7 countries, including France, and other international partners for supporting Vietnam in energy transition, especially through the Political Declaration on Establishing Economic Partnership on Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

Chinh asked partners to enhance support to Vietnam by providing preferential financing, modern technology, and helping to develop high-quality human resources and build a smart administration system.

Welcoming Vietnam’s commitments and efforts, the leaders of developed countries, the EC and other international institutions said that they will ‘go together’ with Vietnam during the energy transition process, for the sake of Vietnam and the world.

At the meeting with Macron on the afternoon of the same day, Chinh suggested acceleration of cooperation between the two countries in many fields. He asked France to move ahead with the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

Macron agreed that the two sides need to cooperate more effectively and comprehensively in various fields.

He said that some ministers would be sent to Vietnam to work with their counterparts to promote specific activities and affirmed that France has a procedure for EVIPA ratification. These preparations are being made for the President’s visit in the upcoming time.

Thu Hang