On November 19, at the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, Vietnam announced the updated version of the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan (NAP) for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050.

Vietnam, along with 59 countries that have completed and published the NAP, continues to affirm its efforts to develop solutions to enhance climate change resilience for natural, economic, social and human systems.

The event, organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in coordination with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), attracted a large number of leaders, experts, international funds and development partners.

NAP Update – A Major Step Forward in Climate Change Adaptation

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh emphasized that climate change adaptation is an essential part of global efforts to protect people, livelihoods and ecosystems, especially in developing countries.

Vietnam has proactively issued policies and implemented many measures to effectively respond to the impacts of climate change, including developing and implementing the NAP from 2020 and deploying a system to monitor and evaluate adaptation activities.

The updated version of NAP has been reviewed and supplemented based on the implementation practice in the 2020-2023 period and Vietnam's new commitments. The planning process involved the participation of ministries, sectors, localities, research organizations, non-governmental organizations and international partners.

Challenges and calls for international cooperation

Vietnam has mobilized domestic resources to implement the NAP but still faces many challenges, including financial, technological and capacity constraints. Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh called for support from the international community, emphasizing the important role of technology transfer and access to preferential capital to enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities.

Updated NAP goals and missions

The updated national plan identifies three main objectives with 162 priority tasks, focusing on: Enhancing the resilience and adaptive capacity of natural, economic, and social systems, ensuring sustainable livelihoods (76 tasks); Reducing risks and damages caused by increasing natural disasters and extreme climate, addressing losses caused by climate change (33 tasks); Perfecting institutions, promoting national potential and resources for effective adaptation (53 tasks).

The plan emphasizes the application of sustainable, adaptive development models based on nature, ecosystems and communities, while encouraging participation and investment from the private sector.

Commitment of the international community

Ms. Rohini Kohli, Senior Advisor of UNDP, affirmed that the updated NAP is an important milestone for Vietnam to mobilize resources and build a sustainable future. She emphasized the need to strengthen multilateral cooperation to address loss and damage in an equitable and effective manner. UNDP is committed to continuing to support Vietnam in financing and technology transfer initiatives.

Sustainable development orientation

At the event, speakers discussed Vietnam’s climate change adaptation strategy, focusing on sustainable finance solutions and protecting vulnerable groups. The updated NAP is not only a response to the climate change challenge but also opens up opportunities for international cooperation, contributing to building a sustainable future for Vietnam.