All nations share responsibility to protect common house, says PM Dũng

VGP – Addressing the 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) convened in Copenhagen, Denmark, on December 16, Vietnamese PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng stressed that the Earth is the common house of mankind, which must be protected by each and every nation and individual.

December 17, 2009 12:02 AM GMT+7

PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng says Việt Nam hopes to see a high consensus in obtaining new international commitments in response to climate change, 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark, December 16, 2009 – Photo: VGP/Nhật Bắc

In his presentation to representatives from 192 countries, PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng stated that Việt Nam is among the countries most severely affected by climate change.

Việt Nam possesses a long coastline and two rice granaries in the Red River Delta and Mekong Delta, where produce food for 86 million Vietnamese and people as well as for one fifth of the world’s demand, said PM Dũng.

It is estimated that many plains and coastal areas in Việt Nam may be submerged when the sea level rises up 0.75-1 m, threatening food security of the country and the world.

“We highly appreciate the cooperation and assistance of the international community, especially developed countries and international organizations, for Việt Nam. We hope to receive more support for Việt Nam in responding to climate change and sea level rise, so as to guarantee food security of the world,” emphasized the Vietnamese leader.

PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng addresses the 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark, December 16, 2009 – Photo: VGP/Nhật Bắc

PM Dũng underlined Việt Nam’s message to the Conference that the country expects to see a high consensus in seeking for new international commitments in response to climate change.

He called on developed countries to take the lead in realizing strong commitments to the reduction of greenhouse gas emission in order to keep the global mean temperature from increasing higher than 2°C by the end of this century.

He went on to urge those countries to help developing ones sharpen their capability of combating climate change through financial supports, technological transfer and the Adaptability Fund.

The Vietnamese PM asserted that it is necessary to found an international steering organization which will regulate efforts to fight against the global climate change.

“The Earth is the common house of mankind, thus it is each and every country and individual who should assume responsibility for combating climate change,” said Mr. Dũng, adding that Việt Nam welcomes and highly speaks of initiatives to protect the Earth’s atmosphere.

By Xuân Hồng