Vietnam requests UN support battling rising sea levels

Speaking at the ASEAN-UN Summit in Jakarta on Thursday, Chinh stressed that current global issues can only be successfully responded to through a global approach that highlights multilateralism and ensures fairness and justice.

Chinh hoped that the ASEAN-UN comprehensive partnership would help bolster international unity and multilateral cooperation, while ensuring peace and security and promoting prosperous and sustainable development.

The prime minister asked the United Nations to support Vietnam and other Mekong subregion countries in the sustainable management and use of water sources. He requested that the global body help the region increase its ability to respond to climate change, especially in the Mekong Delta where rising sea levels are destroying swathes of agriculture in Vietnam's "rice basket."

Chinh said he would also like the UN to support Vietnam in deploying the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) as it transitions to a "green and circular economy."

PM Chinh added that Vietnam will up its role in maintaining peace, and would fulfill its international responsibilities, especially as a member of the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 period, for the prosperity and sustainable development of all nations.

UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres commended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for its connectivity and for fostering understanding and trust between countries. He also requested that ASEAN bolster cooperation regarding sustainable development goals, including energy transition, digital education, biodiversity, and natural disaster management.