Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (back, third, left) and other leaders at the G7 Outreach Summit in Canada (Photo: VNA)

Quebec (VNA) – Prime MinisterNguyen Xuan Phuc delivered a speech at the Group of Seven (G7) Outreach Summitin Quebec, Canada on June 9 (Canada time), affirming Vietnam’s commitment tojoining the international community in early translating the Paris Agreement intoreality.

The following is the full text of his speech.

SPEECH BY PRIMEMINISTER NGUYEN XUAN PHUC
At the G7 Outreach Meeting
(Quebec, Canada, 9/6/2018)
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TheRight Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada,
Excellences, Heads of Stateand Government
Ladies andGentlemen,

I would like to sincerelythank The Right Honourable PrimeMinister Justin Trudeau for inviting Viet Nam to the expanded G7 meeting today. The theme Ocean set for this meeting is highly relevant. It is the habitat and development space of allcoastal nations and the entire planet.

I wish to share the following views:

First, climate change and sea level rise poses a serious threat to mankind’s survival.Viet Nam has a long coastline and, according to the WB and OECD, is among thecountries worst affected by climate change, sea level rise and extreme weather.Without effective responses, 20% of Ho Chi Minh City and 40% of the Mekongdelta of Viet Nam will be submerged by the end of this century. This area is VietNam’s rice granary inhabited by tens of millions of people, and a food-exportingcenter that provides food security for many countries.

Viet Nam highlyvalues the assistance for sustainable development of the Mekong River basin fromG7 countries, including Japan, the United States and the Friends of the LowerMekong (FLM). We look forward to the continued international support andcooperation for sustainable management and use of water resources and enhancedmonitoring, climate change adaptation, as well as responding to the sea levelrise and spreading saline intrusion in the Mekong basin.

Viet Nam iscommitted to joining the international community in early translating the ParisAgreement into reality.

I would like to proposethat G7 countries consider establishing an Expanded Cooperation Forum of G7and coastal countries on response to climate change, sea level rise andprotection of maritime environment and ecology in order to promote cooperation, share experience, transfertechnologies and muster resources. Viet Nam welcomes the G7’s topic on thegender equality to facilitate women’s access to resources and basic services inresponding to climate change.

Second, 8million tons of plastic waste are flushed into our oceans every year,imperiling the maritime ecosystem and the oceans’ health. Viet Nam welcomes Canada's initiative onpreventing plastic litter on oceans, and stands ready to work with Canada andother partners in its implementation.  Atthe Global Environment Facility (GEF) Assembly to be held in Viet Nam in lateJune 2018, we will put forward an initiative on developing a Regional Projectfor a Plastic – Free Ocean, which has been welcomed by the GEF.

At this forum, I would like to propose that the G7 work onestablishing a Global Mechanism on Plastic Waste Reduction with joint actionsfrom all relevant countries for ever-blue oceans full of fish and shrimps andfree from plastic, serving as valuable assets for future generations.

Viet Nam, on its part, has adopted a development strategy to vigorouslypromote maritime economy in parallel with protecting maritime environment andecosystem. We do not sacrifice the environment for economic growth. Weencourage clean energy, green growth and sustainable projects while combating stronglypolluting waste for blue and healthy seas. 

Lastly, the preservation of blue oceans as theliving habitat of mankind is only possible with peace, stability andcooperation prevailing at seas.

The East Sea in Southeast Asia provides the lifeline for 50% of theworld shipping traffic. It must be the sea of peace and safety. Viet Namwelcomes the G7’s support for ASEAN's common position on the maintaining maritimesafety, security and freedom of navigation and overflight, non-militarizationand refraining from unilateral acts that would erode trust, dispute settlementvia peaceful means on the basis of respecting international law, the 1982UNCLOS and the diplomatic and legal processes, full and effective observance ofthe DOC and working towards an early substantive and effective COC.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Iwould like to affirm that Viet Nam stands ready to advance cooperation inrealizing the theme of the G7 Meeting today on effective response to climatechange, sea level rise, development of clean, renewable energy, and protectionof maritime environment and ecosystem. Our common goal is for a blue ocean, agreen planet, peace, stability and common prosperity.

Thank you for your kindattention.-VNA