Speech by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the G7 Outreach Meeting

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has proposed establishing an expanded cooperation forum between the Group of Seven (G7) and coastal nations in combating climate change and sea level rise, and protecting the marine ecology.

The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada,

         Excellencies, Heads of State and Government

         Ladies and Gentlemen,    

         I would like to sincerely thank The Right Honourable Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for inviting Viet Nam to the expanded G7 meeting today. The theme Ocean set for this meeting is highly relevant. It is the habitat and development space of all coastal nations and the entire planet.

I wish to share the following views:

First, climate change and sea level rise poses a serious threat to mankind’s survival. Viet Nam has a long coastline and, according to the WB and OECD, is among the countries worst affected by climate change, sea level rise and extreme weather. Without effective responses, 20% of Ho Chi Minh City and 40% of the Mekong delta of Viet Nam will be submerged by the end of this century. This area is Viet Nam’s rice granary inhabited by tens of millions of people, and a food-exporting center that provides food security for many countries.

Viet Nam highly values the assistance for sustainable development of the Mekong River basin from G7 countries, including Japan, the United States and the Friends of the Lower Mekong (FLM). We look forward to the continued international support and cooperation for sustainable management and use of water resources and enhanced monitoring, climate change adaptation, as well as responding to the sea level rise and spreading saline intrusion in the Mekong basin.

Viet Nam is committed to joining the international community in early translating the Paris Agreement into reality.

I would like to propose that G7 countries consider establishing an Expanded Cooperation Forum of G7 and coastal countries on response to climate change, sea level rise and protection of maritime environment and ecology in order to promote cooperation, share experience, transfer technologies and muster resources. Viet Nam welcomes the G7’s topic on the gender equality to facilitate women’s access to resources and basic services in responding to climate change.

Second, 8 million tons of plastic waste are flushed into our oceans every year, imperiling the maritime ecosystem and the oceans’ health. Viet Nam welcomes Canada's initiative on preventing plastic litter on oceans, and stands ready to work with Canada and other partners in its implementation.  At the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Assembly to be held in Viet Nam in late June 2018, we will put forward an initiative on developing a Regional Project for a Plastic – Free Ocean, which has been welcomed by the GEF.

At this forum, I would like to propose that the G7 work on establishing a Global Mechanism on Plastic Waste Reduction with joint actions from all relevant countries for an ever-blue oceans full of fish and shrimps and free from plastic, serving as valuable assets for future generations.

Viet Nam, on its part, has adopted a development strategy to vigorously promote maritime economy in parallel with protecting maritime environment and ecosystem. We do not sacrifice the environment for economic growth. We encourage clean energy, green growth and sustainable projects while combating strongly polluting waste for blue and healthy seas. 

Lastly, the preservation of blue oceans as the living habitat of mankind is only possible with peace, stability and cooperation prevailing at seas.

The East Sea in Southeast Asia provides the lifeline for 50% of the world shipping traffic. It must be the sea of peace and safety. Viet Nam welcomes the G7’s support for ASEAN's common position on the maintaining maritime safety, security and freedom of navigation and overflight, non-militarization and refraining from unilateral acts that would erode trust, dispute settlement via peaceful means on the basis of respecting international law, the 1982 UNCLOS and the diplomatic and legal processes, full and effective observance of the DOC and working towards an early substantive and effective COC.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to affirm that Viet Nam stands ready to advance cooperation in realizing the theme of the G7 Meeting today on effective response to climate change, sea level rise, development of clean, renewable energy, and protection of maritime environment and ecosystem. Our common goal is for a blue ocean, a green planet, peace, stability and common prosperity.

Thank you for your kind attention./.

Other News

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

The NA's Committee for Cultural and Social Affairs has moved fast to reshuffle its organisation after the 14th National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the 16th NA, updating its work agenda to match new directives set out in the resolutions of the 14th National Party Congress and the first Congress of the NA Party Organisation for the 2025–2030 term.

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam and Croatia should strive to double bilateral trade turnover from the current level of 161 million USD; study the establishment of a Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation to create a long-term, stable, and effective framework for collaboration, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Jesús Faria expressed deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s indomitable struggle for national independence. He described President Ho Chi Minh as an immortal symbol of 20th-century national liberation movements, whose legacy continues to inspire leftist parties, progressive movements, and peoples across Latin America, including Venezuela.

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared Vietnam’s approach to building an independent and self-reliant economy linked to deep international integration, while proposing several key areas for enhanced cooperation between BRICS and partner countries at the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting that opened on May 14 in India.

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

PSNews - The spokesperson stated that the dispatch of personnel by relevant parties to features belonging to Truong Sa without Vietnam’s permission constitutes a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty under international law. She stressed that such actions run counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as ongoing efforts by countries to negotiate a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

PSNews - Vietnam’s proposals placed the highest priority on ensuring a peaceful and stable environment conducive for continued sustainable development and improving the well-being and happiness of the ASEAN people. They were praised by member states and incorporated into the core contents of the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the response to the Middle East crisis.

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam highly values the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in strengthening national capacity in crime prevention and criminal justice, drug control, and addressing emerging challenges, particularly cybercrime, said Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang.

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Consolidating the central steering committees for institutional and legal reform and for judicial reform is necessary in order to streamline organisational structures without reducing responsibilities, while ensuring clear accountability, measurable outputs and concrete results. Following the restructuring, the body will be renamed the central steering committee for institutional improvement and law enforcement, with the Party General Secretary and State President serving as its head.

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

At the meeting this week, Ambassador Viet briefed the UNGA President on developments during the first two weeks of the conference. He stressed that the current international geopolitical landscape poses numerous complex challenges, while reaffirming Vietnam’s determination, together with other member states, to promote substantive and balanced outcomes at the conference.

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

The host leader stressed that cooperation between localities, particularly between the capitals of Hanoi and Vientiane, plays an especially important role as a pioneering force in effectively implementing the foreign polices of the two Parties and States, while also serving as a bridge between politics and development, as well as between strategy and concrete action.