UN official pledges climate change help

Chairman of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Rajendra Pachauri, promised to stand side by side with Viet Nam in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change at a meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in Ha Noi yesterday.

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He underlined that if nothing is done about current emission levels, the sea level could rise by 98cm by 2100. Even a rise of half the predicted level would have severe consequences for many countries, including Viet Nam.


Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung told Pachauri that Viet Nam considers the response to climate change, rising sea level and natural disasters as crucial to achieving a path of sustainable development.

The country established a National Steering Committee on Climate Change to be led by the PM and an advisory council. The committee is tasked with updating the government on global reports and recommending coping measures over the short and long term.

Viet Nam will do its best to join efforts with the global community to cope with the changing climate, the PM said.

Besides making its own efforts, Viet Nam is keen to receive more effective assistance from the UN, foreign donors and scientists. Such assistance includes sharing studies, offering recommendations and funding relevant projects, the leader added.

He praised the effective support that the UN has already given to Viet Nam in many areas, including climate change response.