UK ready to support Vietnam in green growth, climate change response

The United Kingdom (UK) promises to provide Vietnam with necessary assistance to realize its COP26 commitments, Ambassador Iain Frew said on April 28.

Vietnam's State President Vo Van Thuong (right) meets the UK Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew on April 28. Photo: Vietnam New Agency

He credited Vietnam for strong commitments made during the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) hosted by Scotland.

The UK expects Vietnam to take measures soon to realize the promises, Iain told a meeting with Vietnam’s State President Vo Van Thuong.

As one of the leading nations in renewable energy and energy transition, Iain added that the UK would equip Vietnam with financial and technical support to fulfill its responsibilities.

The UK ambassador also expected that bilateral relations between the two nations would grow more with a focus on cross-border trade, education and training, and national defense and security.

Regarding economic relations, Iain appreciated that Vietnam had been a key factor in helping the UK join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The UK hopes to foster its trade and economic relations with Vietnam through the partnership agreement. He said that adding the bilateral relations between the two countries will help propel peace and prosperity in Asia-Pacific.

He added that the government agencies of the two nations are working on a plan to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the foundation of diplomatic relations.

In his part, President Vo Van Thuong said he had accepted the invitation of the Royal Family of the UK to attend the coronation of King Charles III on May 4-6.

President Thuong hoped the trip would bolster the relations between the two countries in all fields.

Agreeing with the suggestions of the ambassador, the leader of Vietnam expected the two nations would soon further develop their strategic partnership.

President Thuong suggested that the two economies make the best use of the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) and the CPTPP to achieve post-pandemic economic recovery.

He encouraged UK companies to come and hasten their Vietnam-based operations in green growth, digital transformation, innovation, education and training, and healthcare.

As the UK is among the leading nations in developing anti-Covid-19 solutions, President Thuong expected that the UK would continue assisting Vietnam to foster the pharmaceutical industry and develop a resilient medical system.

He believed that the ambassador would do a great job during his tenure to develop the Vietnam-UK relations.