Prime Minister proposes initiative at G7 Summit

At the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc led a high-ranking delegation from the Vietnamese Government to attend the expanded G7 Summit held on June 9, 2018 in Charlevoix, Quebec, Canada.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has proposed the establishment of an expanded cooperation forum between G7 countries and coastal countries on climate change response, rising sea levels and protection of the marine ecological environment.

Within the framework of the theme and agenda of the G7 in 2018 under the chairmanship and coordination of Canada, the content of the expanded G7 Summit focused on the issue of seas and oceans. The Summit assessed the issue of pollution and unsustainable exploitation of natural resources of the seas and oceans as a common global challenge, threatening the sustainable development of the entire planet, first of all coastal countries; calling for increased global and regional cooperation in protecting the ecological environment of the seas and oceans towards the goal of blue oceans and blue planet.

At the Conference, most leaders affirmed their commitment to implementing the Paris Agreement on Climate Change (COP 21), sharing ideas, visions and measures to enhance capacity to adapt and respond to climate change, promoting mechanisms to address marine issues on the basis of international law, combating coastal erosion and rising sea levels, forming cooperation mechanisms and common international standards on combating plastic waste, combating illegal fishing, strengthening management and conservation of marine ecosystems, developing marine infrastructure, ensuring sustainable development of marine economic sectors, etc.

The conference supported Canada's initiative to strengthen international cooperation in preventing and dealing with plastic waste in the ocean and promoting gender equality in responding to climate change.

In his keynote speech at the G7 Summit, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed that Vietnam supports host country Canada in focusing the agenda of this year's G7 Summit on the theme of seas and oceans; and welcomed the G7 countries for demonstrating their determination and spirit of cooperation to find solutions to promote the protection of the marine and ocean ecological environment.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc sent a strong message about the importance of strengthening international cooperation in responding to climate change; proposed the establishment of an expanded cooperation forum between G7 countries and coastal countries on responding to climate change, rising sea levels and protecting the marine ecological environment to enhance cooperation, share experiences, transfer technology and mobilize resources for climate change adaptation and response.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc emphasized that Vietnam is one of the countries most severely affected by climate change and rising sea levels, and is also negatively affected by the unsustainable exploitation and use of Mekong River water resources.

The Prime Minister affirmed Vietnam's commitment to seriously implementing emission reductions in accordance with the COP 21 Agreement; and requested G7 countries and the international community to continue supporting and strengthening cooperation with Vietnam to improve its capacity to monitor and adapt to climate change, combat rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion, as well as manage and sustainably use water resources in the lower Mekong River.

At the conference, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed that strongly developing the marine economy in conjunction with protecting the environment and marine ecosystem is the strategic development orientation of Vietnam, with the viewpoint of not trading the environment for economic growth, encouraging clean energy, renewable energy, green growth and sustainable development, and resolutely combating waste discharge that pollutes the marine environment.

The Prime Minister welcomed Canada's initiative to prevent plastic waste from entering the ocean and affirmed that Vietnam is ready to cooperate with Canada and the international community to implement this initiative.

The Prime Minister proposed that G7 countries promote the formation of a Global Cooperation Mechanism on Plastic Waste Reduction to achieve the goal of clean and green oceans, free of plastic waste. The Prime Minister also said that at the Global Environment Facility (GEF) General Assembly held in Vietnam at the end of June 2018, Vietnam proposed a Regional Project for a Plastic Waste-Free Ocean, which was welcomed and cooperated with by GEF.

In addition, in his speech at the Conference, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc emphasized that the goal of a blue ocean can only be achieved when a peaceful, stable and cooperative environment is maintained and spread across the oceans. The Prime Minister welcomed the G7 countries' support for ASEAN's common stance on the East Sea, which requires strengthening cooperation to ensure security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation, and peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis of respect for international law, the 1982 UNCLOS Convention, and respect for diplomatic and legal processes to strengthen peace, stability and cooperation in the region and the world.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc's speech was highly appreciated by the host country Canada and many countries attending the Conference, expressing support for the initiatives proposed by Vietnam, as well as ASEAN's stance on the East Sea.

This year's G7 Summit took place in a context of profound and unpredictable changes in world politics and economics. This is one of the most important G7 conferences in 2018 with the participation of the Presidents/Prime Ministers of the G7 countries (USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada), the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Council; 12 guest countries (including Argentina, Bangladesh, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda, Norway, Senegal, Seychelles, Marshall Islands). In addition, there were representatives of international organizations including the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Director-General of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the Executive Director of the World Bank (WB).

This is the second time Vietnam has attended the G7 Summit. Along with the 2016 G7 Summit in Japan and the 2017 G20 Summit in Germany, Vietnam’s invitation to the 2018 G7 Summit shows that the international community continues to positively assess Vietnam’s role, position and active and responsible contributions to issues of common concern to the world and the region./.