“WE MUST THINK GLOBALLY đăng nhập bet88 ACT LOCALLY": FRENCH AMBASSADOR TO VIETNAM ON CLIMATE COOPERATION
In an exclusive interview with Vietnam Economic Times, the French Ambassador to Vietnam, His Excellency Olivier Brochet, stresses the urgency of climate action đăng nhập bet88 highlights the crucial role of collaboration between France, Vietnam, đăng nhập bet88 the international community in building a sustainable future.

THE GLOBAL CHALLENGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Your Excellency, the challenges posed by climate change are felt globally, with rising temperatures đăng nhập bet88 sea levels posing significant risks. How do you see these global trends affecting Vietnam, a country with a vast coastline đăng nhập bet88 highly populated coastal areas?
Vietnam is, unfortunately, one of the nations most vulnerable to climate change globally. The rising sea levels you mention pose a direct threat to coastal communities, critical infrastructure, đăng nhập bet88 the fertile Mekong Delta – a vital agricultural region highlighted in the Mekong Emergency report issued in 2022 by GEMMES program developed by French Development Agency (AFD) .
Climate change also contributes to the intensification of extreme weather events like typhoons đăng nhập bet88 floods, which cause severe damage đăng nhập bet88 loss of life. The increasing frequency đăng nhập bet88 severity of droughts are also impacting agriculture, particularly in the Central Highlands. These are tangible threats with far-reaching consequences for Vietnam's economic development đăng nhập bet88 the well-being of its people.
Climate change is a global challenge, requiring a coordinated international response. How can international cooperation be most effective in addressing climate change in Vietnam? Are there specific existing initiatives or partnerships that demonstrate the value of this collaborative approach?
France strongly believes that collaboration is the key to effectively addressing climate change. The Paris Agreement in 2015 is a testament to the power of nations coming together for a common cause. There are numerous examples of cooperation specifically addressing Vietnam's challenges.
The Just Energy Transition Partnership is a major initiative involving France đăng nhập bet88 G7 partners to accelerate the shift towards clean energy sources in Vietnam. Additionally, AFD to finance projects focused on climate resilience, such as the coastal protection initiatives in Quang Nam, are tangible demonstrations of cooperation yielding positive results.
Building on the idea of cooperation, what role do you believe diplomacy plays in creating international frameworks đăng nhập bet88 galvanizing action on climate change?
Diplomacy is absolutely crucial. It creates the spaces for dialogue đăng nhập bet88 builds bridges of understanding necessary for nations to find common ground. Climate diplomacy is about identifying areas of mutual interest, ensuring a fair distribution of effort towards mitigation goals, đăng nhập bet88 facilitating the sharing of knowledge đăng nhập bet88 technology.
It's about forging a global approach that respects the specific needs đăng nhập bet88 development challenges of countries like Vietnam while pushing the world urgently towards a lower carbon future.
Adopted in 2023 đăng nhập bet88 endorsed by more than 50 States including Vietnam, the 'Paris Pact for People đăng nhập bet88 the Planet' reminds us that we cannot oppose the fight against climate change đăng nhập bet88 the fight against poverty
FRANCE đăng nhập bet88 VIETNAM: A SHARED VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Your Excellency, France đăng nhập bet88 Vietnam have a rich tradition of scientific collaboration, particularly regarding environmental issues. Could you elaborate on the current work being done by research institutions like the IRD, CIRAD, đăng nhập bet88 CNRS in Vietnam, đăng nhập bet88 the specific environmental challenges these collaborations are addressing?
You're absolutely right about the longstanding partnership between France đăng nhập bet88 Vietnam in scientific research. Our institutions like the IRD, CIRAD, đăng nhập bet88 CNRS work in close collaboration with Vietnamese counterparts to understand đăng nhập bet88 tackle a range of environmental issues.
The IRD, for instance, conducts vital research on oceanography, water resource management, đăng nhập bet88 the impact of climate change on biodiversity. CIRAD's expertise is focused on developing agroecological practices to improve agricultural sustainability, food safety, đăng nhập bet88 combatting emerging animal diseases.
Additionally, French institutions are deeply involved in research on renewable energies, pollution control, đăng nhập bet88 urban planning that promotes climate resilience.
You highlighted France's involvement in the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) with Vietnam. Could you share some insights into how this partnership is structured, its key objectives, đăng nhập bet88 the expected timeline for achieving its goals related to clean energy development in Vietnam?

The JETP is a truly innovative đăng nhập bet88 ambitious partnership. It brings together France, other G7 nations, đăng nhập bet88 international financial institutions to mobilize USD 15.5 billion of public đăng nhập bet88 private investment to support Vietnam's transition away from coal-fired power đăng nhập bet88 towards renewable sources of energy.
The key objectives are to increase the share of renewables in Vietnam's energy mix, accelerate the deployment of solar đăng nhập bet88 wind power, improve grid infrastructure, đăng nhập bet88 ensure a just transition for workers đăng nhập bet88 communities affected by the shift away from coal.
The timeline is ambitious, aiming for significant progress within the next 5-10 years đăng nhập bet88 establishing Vietnam as a leader in clean energy in Southeast Asia.
France through AFD contributes to this initiative with 525 million USD, deployable quickly to support EVN investment program under PDP8, in particular, the strengthening of the grid đăng nhập bet88 the development of energy storage, both necessary conditions to deploy new renewable capacities.
French companies are also working with Vietnamese partners to provide solutions đăng nhập bet88 invest in new renewable capacities in Vietnam.
Beyond specific projects, how does this deep scientific cooperation foster a broader shared vision between France đăng nhập bet88 Vietnam on environmental protection đăng nhập bet88 sustainable development, đăng nhập bet88 how do you see this partnership evolving in the future?
Collaborations like these create a foundation of shared knowledge, mutual trust, đăng nhập bet88 technological innovation that are essential for building a sustainable future.
France đăng nhập bet88 Vietnam strongly believe that economic development must be decoupled from environmental degradation. By working together, we can identify solutions that promote economic growth while safeguarding natural resources, mitigating climate change, đăng nhập bet88 improving the quality of life for our citizens.
Moving forward, I envision even greater levels of cooperation, particularly in developing green technologies, exchanging expertise on biodiversity conservation, đăng nhập bet88 implementing circular economy principles.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR CLIMATE ACTION
Your Excellency, you mentioned the recent agreement between the French Development Agency (AFD) đăng nhập bet88 Vietnam to provide significant financial support for climate adaptation projects in Quang Nam đăng nhập bet88 Quang Tri provinces. Can you tell us more about the specific aims of these coastal protection đăng nhập bet88 urban development initiatives?
These projects are designed to build resilience in two highly vulnerable coastal provinces. In Quang Nam, the focus is on protecting Hoi An – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – from erosion đăng nhập bet88 the impacts of sea-level rise.
This will involve reinforcing the coastline, developing natural based solutions, sand refill of the beach, , reviewing city planning along the coast đăng nhập bet88 enhancing community preparedness for severe weather events. In Quang Tri, specifically in Dong Ha city, the project aims to promote green urban development.
This includes improved infrastructure for flood management, the establishment of green spaces, đăng nhập bet88 strategies for sustainable urban planning that take climate resilience into account.
What kind of tangible benefits do you anticipate these projects will bring to the people living in these coastal communities?
The impacts will be multifaceted. Firstly, these projects will safeguard homes, livelihoods, tourism activities đăng nhập bet88 critical infrastructure from the destructive forces of erosion đăng nhập bet88 flooding.
This increased security will allow communities to focus on development đăng nhập bet88 economic growth. Ultimately, these projects contribute to greater quality of life đăng nhập bet88 well-being for the people of Quang Nam đăng nhập bet88 Quang Tri, ensuring they can thrive in the face of climate change.
Are there plans to expand this type of cooperation with AFD or other French agencies to support climate action projects in other regions of Vietnam?
Absolutely! France is committed to standing alongside Vietnam as it navigates the realities of climate change. We recognize that adaptation needs extend across the country.
We are actively in a Team Europe approach with the European WARM Facility, developing projects in close relation with provincial authorities to support initiatives in other vulnerable areas, such as in Ca Mau, Hau Giang đăng nhập bet88 Vinh Long in the Mekong Delta.
The success of these initial projects in Quang Nam đăng nhập bet88 Quang Tri in addition to the on-going work in Dien Bien đăng nhập bet88 in 4 North Central provinces will be crucial in demonstrating the effectiveness of our partnership, paving the way for potential future collaborations that benefit the entire nation.
SCIENCE, EDUCATION, đăng nhập bet88 SHAPING THE FUTURE
France đăng nhập bet88 Vietnam have established robust partnerships in higher education, with institutions like the USTH đăng nhập bet88 numerous exchange programs. How do you see these collaborations equipping young Vietnamese students to tackle environmental challenges đăng nhập bet88 become champions of sustainability?
These educational partnerships are an investment in the future. By providing Vietnamese students with access to world-class scientific training, we empower them to become catalysts for positive change.
Programs focused on environmental science, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, đăng nhập bet88 related disciplines directly equip students with the knowledge đăng nhập bet88 skills to create a more sustainable world.
Additionally, the cultural exchange fostered by these partnerships promotes a global perspective, an understanding of interconnectedness, đăng nhập bet88 a collaborative spirit – all essential for tackling a global challenge like climate change.
A MESSAGE OF HOPE đăng nhập bet88 COLLABORATION
Your Excellency, the challenges of climate change đăng nhập bet88 environmental degradation can sometimes feel overwhelming. What gives you hope for the future, đăng nhập bet88 what do you believe is the most important factor in overcoming these challenges đăng nhập bet88 creating a sustainable world?
The unwavering commitment đăng nhập bet88 innovation of young people around the world give me immense hope. Their energy, passion, đăng nhập bet88 refusal to accept the status quo are driving incredible progress đăng nhập bet88 demanding change from those in power.
They are also ready to adopt more responsible behaviours towards our planet đăng nhập bet88 our environment, understanding that their generations might pay the price of our mistakes. At the same time, scientific research continues to push the boundaries of our understanding, providing us with vital tools đăng nhập bet88 solutions.
Most importantly, I believe collaboration is our greatest asset. When nations, businesses, researchers, đăng nhập bet88 communities come together with a shared purpose, we have the power to transform our world.
As a final message to the readers of Vietnam Economic Times, what would you say is the key to building a sustainable future đăng nhập bet88 why is cooperation between France, Vietnam, đăng nhập bet88 the broader global community so vital?
Addressing complex problems like climate change requires us to think đăng nhập bet88 act both locally đăng nhập bet88 globally. Every nation, every business, đăng nhập bet88 every individual has a role to play in reducing emissions, protecting our natural environment, đăng nhập bet88 embracing sustainable practices.
France đăng nhập bet88 Vietnam are united in this vision, đăng nhập bet88 our ongoing partnerships exemplify the power of working together across borders. By sharing knowledge, technology, đăng nhập bet88 resources, we accelerate progress đăng nhập bet88 build a more resilient world.
International collaboration isn't just an option; it's a necessity for solving the crisis of our time đăng nhập bet88 ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.