Canadian Foreign Minister Stephane Dion has announced that his country will provide 15 million CAD (11.6 million USD) to help small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam with initiatives and technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 





At a working session with Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha in Hanoi on September 5, Minister Stephane Dion expressed his hope that Canada can support Vietnam in tackling the impacts of climate change. 

He wanted the exchange of information relating to Canada’s new policies and priorities and Vietnam’s climate change, environment protection, water resource management, including the ratification and implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change and the plan to use green energy and technology. 

Minister Ha spoke highly of Canada’s support for Vietnam and its active contribution to international negotiations. 

Ha suggested Canada continue participating in the Climate Change Response Support Programme in Vietnam in 2016-2020; aid Vietnam in implementing the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) and the Paris agreement with priority given to gas emission reduction and waste management; and share its experience in managing and responding to environmental incidents. 

Canada will provide assistance for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in building human resource capacity and developing a legal framework on natural resources management, climate change, and green economic development. 

The two sides will work on a cooperative programme in support of SMEs in actualising the action plan on emission reduction.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Canadian Ministry of Environment and Climate Change will sign a memorandum of understanding to realize their cooperation intensions.

VNA