Vietnam calls for int'l assistance for climate change adaptation

She was speaking at the opening session of a high-level segment on a chieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and coping with climate change of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York on July 19. The Vietnamese official referred to impacts caused by climate change, including prolonged El Nino phenomenon, on the realisation of SDGs and the people's enjoyment of their rights. She informed participants of recent drought and saline intrusion in Vietnam - the worst hitting the country over the last nine decades, and their impacts of severe water shortages that seriously damaged crops and directly affected daily activities. While highlighting efforts made by the Vietnamese Government in assisting the people, Thinh expressed her hope that the international community will provide more assistance for Vietnam, especially financial aid, technology and specific initiatives to cope with the situations. Meeting with President of the UN General Assembly Mogens Lykketoft, the Vietnamese official thanked and appreciated effective cooperation and support of the UN for Vietnam in recent years, affirming that Vietnam will continue upholding its responsible membership of the international community and the UN. She suggested the UN effectively promote its role in maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the world on the basis of respecting international law in the context of increasing complicated developments worldwide. The UN General Assembly should pay proper attention to performing the 2030 Agenda on sustainable development and climate change adaptation, particularly in developing countries, she said. Regarding to the East Sea issue, the Vice President asserted Vietnam's consistent stance of the settlement of relevant disputes by peaceful measures, including diplomatic and legal processes, in line with the UN Charter and international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). For his part, Mogens Lykketoft spoke highly of Vietnam's contributions to the region, affirming that the UN will support Vietnam in responding to climate change and realising SDGs. The UN backs the handling of disputes in a peaceful manner with respect to international law, he stated. UN Under-Secretary General and Director of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Helen Clark said the UNDP will enhance links with and assist Vietnam in improving the institutional capacity, green growth and climate change response in 2017-2021. Meanwhile, Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Babatunde Osotimehin committed to supporting Vietnam in dealing with new population challenges such as gender imbalance at birth, reproductive health, population aging, and population quality improvement.-VNA