Vietnam calls for more investment in disaster-resilient infrastructure

THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam stressed the importance of sharing financial burdens and ensuring sufficient resources for post-disaster recovery at the global event discussing measures for climate targets set for 2030.

The message was conveyed at the 2025 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2025) held in Geneva, Switzerland, with the participation of more than 4,500 participants from around the world.

The forum, co-hosted by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the Government of Switzerland, takes place five years before the 2030 deadline to fulfill commitments under the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030.

Speaking at the ministerial roundtable, Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nguyen Hoang Hiep, said:  "Vietnam has been heavily affected by natural disasters in recent years. Typhoon Yagi alone caused damage equivalent to 0.7% of our GDP in 2024."

Deputy Minister Hiep proposed two key actions to support vulnerable countries, including scaling up investment in disaster-resilient infrastructure and promoting stronger international cooperation, particularly in resource sharing and technical knowledge.

In this regard, Hoang Phuong Thao, Country Director of ActionAid Vietnam, described how technology was deployed to empower affected populations.

“Smartphones enabled vulnerable communities not only to receive early warnings but also to report accurate damage data. This helped authorities and partners deliver timely and targeted financial support, ensuring that no one was left behind,” she said.

With the theme "Every Day Counts, Act for Resilience Today," the GP2025 program emphasizes the urgent need for accelerated action to reduce disaster risks and enhance community resilience. The program features four high-level dialogues, two special sessions, three plenaries, and three ministerial roundtables. There are also 15 thematic panels aimed at reviewing implementation progress and identifying immediate and long-term solutions.

The forum featured in-depth discussions on emerging themes, including disaster data, post-disaster recovery, and financial initiatives. During the session "Data, Finance, and Disaster-Induced Migration," Vietnam's grassroots response to Typhoon Yagi garnered attention from international participants.

Alongside Vietnam, representatives from Fiji, the Philippines, and Colombia also contributed practical insights.