Coping with climate change along with using energy more efficiently must be ASEAN’s top priority in the future, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at the 28th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM) which opened in Da Lat city in the central highland province of Lam Dong on July 22.
The 28th AMEM was attended by 600 delegates and government officials from 10 ASEAN and partner countries and representatives from various Vietnamese ministries and sectors.
In his speech, PM Dung pointed out that climate change, natural disasters and epidemics are continuing to have a greater negative impact on every country, therefore, more effort is required to deal with these issues in the region as well as the world in general.
Mr Dung praised the meeting’s theme “Energy and Climate Change” as a clear indication of ASEAN’s close cooperation in their joint effort to develop initiatives and draw up energy development programmes as ASEAN uses increasing amounts of energy. There are also unpredictable fluctuations in the prices of fuels and materials and dwindling supplies.
The focus of the meeting will be on initiatives and measures to ensure energy security and to cope with climate change which are major challenges for the global community and especially ASEAN member countries. Therefore, cooperation and research in developing energy resources and copying with climate change to reduce the greenhouse effect need to be integrated into solutions to ensure energy security within ASEAN and between the bloc and its partner countries.
PM Dung also proposed a score of measures to promote regional cooperation in this field such as speeding up projects to connect the region’s electric system, the trans-ASEAN gas pipeline, implementing the ASEAN Oil and Gas Agreement, saving and using energy more efficiently to ensure energy security and a cleaner environment.
He also underlined the need to boost trade and investment in the application and transfer of clean coal technology between ASEAN and its partner countries and the use of renewable energies.
It is essential to work out a regional energy policy, study the possibility of using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and promote dialogue and cooperation between businesses and governments to ensure ASEAN’s energy plan will be implemented properly and effectively.
Vietnam is an indispensable part of the great ASEAN family and is always willing to take part in the process to build a more united and stronger ASEAN, said PM Dung.
On the theme “From vision to action” in its term as ASEAN Chair, Vietnam will try its best to work hand in hand with other member countries to speed up the process of building an ASEAN Community and deal with arising issues.
VietNamNet/VOV
