On Friday morning 22nd April 2016, the 8th International Conference on "Climate Change: Impacts and Responses" was held by the VNU University of Science in collaboration with the University of Illinois, USA; Vietnam-Japan University; Vietnam National University Hanoi and the Common Ground Publishing, United States in Nguy Nhu Kon Tum Hall, Ha Noi .. The Conference took place over two days 21st and 22nd April 2016.
Attending the Conference were Ambassador Bruno Angelet - Head of European Union Delegation to Vietnam; Deputy Minister of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Mr Nguyen Linh Ngoc and more than 120 delegates, including scientists, experts from 25 countries of 5 continents over the world.
Speaking at the Conference, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Mr Nguyen Linh Ngoc said that Vietnam has a long coastline, has been severely affected by climate change such as natural disasters, drought, ... On 22nd April 2016, Vietnam would like to join with more than 100 countries formally signed the Paris Agreement at the headquarters of the United Nations - is one of the legal instruments which is most comprehensive ever on handling climate change.
Responding to climate change in general and the implementation of the Paris Agreement in particular will bring challenges and opportunities for Vietnam. To limit the impacts of climate change on the global as well as mitigating damage to the country, Vietnam has been a pioneer in dealing with climate change which is implementing a number of policies and practical activities with the support and cooperation of many nations.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Noi - Rector of the University of Science emphasized that climate change has affected Vietnam and other countries. It is the change in temperature, rainfall, storm frequency and rising sea levels will lead to the economic impact, social and environmental. These effects may be affected directly or indirectly, positively or negatively. Therefore, the identification, assess the impact of climate change on humans and ecosystems is needed to work from there, we can take advantages of these opportunities and turn the challenges of change climate for rapid and sustainable development of the country. This conference has great significance, is where the scientists to exchange and share their knowledge and understanding of climate change, contribute to the direction and development of strategies to mitigate and adapt to dealing with climate change in general and Vietnam in particular.
At the Conference, scientists, experts at home and abroad discussed sustainable solutions to respond effectively to the impacts of climate change, which can be applied in accordance with the conditions of Vietnam. Through the vulnerability assessment of climate change, study the effects of human and human damage to the climate change in order to propose solutions to cope with climate change.
Dr. Phillip Kalantzis-Cope
Dr. Philip Kalantzis-Cope said that Vietnam should identify clearly the advantages and disadvantages, including the opportunities and challenges posed by adaptation to climate change when implementing the Paris Agreement; need to change behaviours and lifestyles of society towards forming a production model and sustainable consumption habits, using savings and resource efficiency; while each member of society should have the sense to prevent actively, avoid natural disasters, adapting to climate change, thereby decreasing damage to people and property.
Ambassador Bruno Angelet
Ambassador Bruno Angelet confirmed that the European Union will continue to support Vietnam in activities to minimize the impact of the greenhouse gas as well as the effects and impacts of climate change.
(HUS Media)