[22 Feb. 2014] — The National Committee on Climate Change has identified integrating green growth into climate change adaptation and socio-economic development as well as mobilising financial support for green growth as 2014 targets.

This year, Viet Nam also planned to increase its engagement in global forums focusing on green growth and the United Nations General Assembly's climate change meetings.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung noted that bilateral and multi-lateral cooperation with foreign countries to support the adoption of the climate change policies needs to be improved.— VNA/VNS Photo

Speaking at the committee's fourth meeting, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, who is also the chairman of the committee, directed ministries and localities to effectively implement programmes on climate change mitigation and tighten controls while extracting mineral resources to protect the environment.

He added this was because Viet Nam is one of the countries that is suffering the most from climate changes.

Dung noted that bilateral and multi-lateral cooperation with foreign countries to support the adoption of the climate change policies needs to be improved.

A report from the committee showed that close cooperation among relevant authorised agencies dramatically reduced damages caused by natural disasters in 2013.

The report highlighted joint efforts made to prepare for super typhoon Haiyan, which killed nine people in Viet Nam and caused major damage in parts of the country.

According to the report, policies and laws on climate change were passed and implemented in 2013 to improve responses to natural disasters.

As a result, forecasts and warnings of approaching natural disasters, including storms, floods and torrential rain, are publicised faster than in previous years, the report said.

The National Committee on Climate Change was established in January 2012 under a decision signed by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, with the aim of helping the Government in directing and running key programmes on climate change.

The committee has 22 members, including Deputy PMs Vu Duc Dam and Hoang Trung Hai, and heads of ministries - VNS.