Social Affairs
Canadian Foreign Minister talks to four universities' students
On September 5, the Canadian Minister had a talk with students from the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, the Hanoi University of Science and Technology, the Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities, and the Hanoi University, within the framework of his official visit to Vietnam.
Canadian Foreign Minister Stephane Dion
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According to him, issues on the environment and climate change challenge not only Vietnam but also the whole world, and no countries can address these challenges unilaterally. Countries should pay attention to issues related to the environment and bio-diversity like fish reserves, clean water resources and public health during the development process, he said.
Minister Stephane Dion briefed his host on the foreign policy of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party that aims to tighten its connectivity with Asia-Pacific and strengthen its relationship with Vietnam, while attaching importance to the role played by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Canada sticks importance to and appreciates regional multilateral mechanisms and forums such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Defence Ministerial Meeting Plus (ADMM+), the minister said, noting that Canada wishes to fully and actively engage in such mechanisms.
Ha suggested Canada continue participating in the Climate Change Response Support Programme in Vietnam in 2016-2020; aid Vietnam in implementing the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) and the Paris agreement with priority given to gas emission reduction and waste management; and share its experience in managing and responding to environmental incidents.
Canada will provide assistance for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in building human resource capacity and developing a legal framework on natural resources management, climate change, and green economic development.
Minister Stephane Dion told participating students that his country will provide 15 million CAD (approximately 11.6 million USD) to help small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam with initiatives and technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
He also answered their questions on necessary solutions to have a global agreement on climate change response, especially for such developing nations like Vietnam, as well as barriers related to cooperation in climate change response.
