Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam has been seriouslyimplementing its commitments related to climate change at both global andregional levels, especially within the ASEAN framework, Deputy Prime Ministerand Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said while addressing a teleconferencedhigh-level open debate of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on July 24.

This event, themed “Climate Change and Security”, was heldby Germany, which holds the UNSC presidency in July, and the Like-Minded Group.It was attended by senior representatives of 21 member states of the UN and theEU, along with speakers who included a UN Assistant Secretary-General andexperts from some research institutes and non-governmental organisations.

In his speech, Deputy PM Minh pointed out adverse effects ofclimate change on livelihoods, lives, food security, and water sources ofmillions of people.

As Vietnam is one of the nations most vulnerable to climatechange, especially sea level rise and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta,he affirmed effective response to climate change is vital to Vietnam’ssustainable development.

He held that enhancing international cooperation is key tosustainable peace and prosperity for all people around the world, stressing theUNSC needs to address the root causes of conflicts, suchas poverty, injustice, militarism, and disregard for international law.

The official also suggested the UNSCshould include in its conflict analysis consideration of climate change impact,which is key to developing strategies that can address all aspects of crisesand conflicts in a comprehensive and sustainable manner.

The council should support effortsof the entire UN system to cope with climate change while paying specialattention and providing assistance to developing, least-developed, small-island andland-locked countries suffering heavily from climate change.

Climate change is a globalchallenge that requires a global response in which multilateral cooperationcoordinated by the UN is essential, according to Minh.

At the debate, participants shared the view that climatechange is a serious threat and also a factor that can worsen challenges to internationalpeace and security, particularly in instability and conflict-hit areas, andeven lead to new disputes and conflicts.

They emphasised that the UN should seek comprehensivesolutions to these challenges and improve its responsiveness to climate change-relatedsecurity risks. They also affirmed the importance of multilateral mechanisms,with the UN playing the central role.

Despite recognising the link between climate change and internationalsecurity, some countries said climate change should be resolved via othermechanisms on development and the environment, instead of at the UNSC whichoriginally focuses on traditional threats to international peace and security.

Climate change is one of the priorities that Vietnam ispromoting in its position as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for2020-2021./.