Paris Agreement support project to be accelerated in Vietnam

The VN-SIPA scheme, that uses a non-refundable official development assistance (ODA) from Germany, was previously granted approval by the Prime Minister back in April 2019. It is set to be implemented nationwide over a four-year period until 2023, with a total capital of EUR10.3 million.

The ultimate aim of the project is to strengthen the legal framework and national capacity to support the implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change, with a specific focus on implementing the nation’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh stated that the VN-SIPA project is of great importance to Vietnam as its success will contribute to both the implementation of the NDC and the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Deputy Minister Thanh therefore requested delegates to discuss effective implementation measures and to consider a 2021 plan for the project. A primary focus will be on strengthening State governance in response to climate change, and enhancing the nation’s role and responsibility as a party to the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Weert Börner, deputy ambassador of Germany to Vietnam, pointed out that Vietnam is one of the first to develop a concrete action plan for its implementation, as well as submitting and updating its own NDC.

The VN-SIPA project will serve to assist the Vietnamese Government when it comes to building the necessary conditions in line with the Paris Agreement, Börner said. The scheme aims to achieve adaptation and mitigation gains that will bring about environmental, social, and economic benefits, especially in terms of reducing CO2 emissions which occur in national economic activities.

Vietnam completed an NDC update and handed in its report in September, 2020, thereby becoming one of the 20 nations globally to submit its update. 

The project has served to support the development of a climate change adaption chapter of the revised Law on Environmental Protection in 2020, laying the foundation to further build legal corridors on the local climate change response. It has also supported the formulation of various documents on climate change management across a number of industries, such as aviation, agriculture, and construction.

Members of the steering board also touched upon issues in order to complete the tentative plan for major activities which will be carried out in the year ahead.