Closing remarks

Closing remarks by Dr Tran Thuc,
Co-chair of US-Vietnam Working Group
on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

Mr Co-chair,

Distinguished participants,

We have just finished one and half hard-working days of the First Meeting of the US-Vietnam Working Group on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, which is considered as a landmark meeting to open up opportunities for co-operation between Vietnam and the US in climate change.

Over the past two days, we learned about climate change and its impacts in Vietnam and the US as well as measures to adapt to and mitigate climate change of each country through excellent presentations by US and Vietnamese scientists.

We also had fruitful discussions about issues of mutual interest, such as higher education exchange, coastal vulnerability and surface elevation and national assessments, as well possible opportunities for further co-operation. In addition, we discussed focal points for communication within the Working Group and possible co-operation opportunities between the two countries in climate change.

On behalf of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environement, the hosts of the Meeting, as Co-chair, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all participants from the US and Vietnam for your contributions to these achievements. Like Dr Gregory Smith, I hope that the Working Group will boost its operation for the interest of both countries as emphasised by Mr Ambassador at the Opening Ceremony.

Again, I would like to thank Mr Co-chair, and  US participants for coming to Vietnam with good willingness and useful suggestions for the Working Group’s activities and co-operation between the two countries.

I wish you all a good journey home.

Finnally, I would like to thank staff from IMHEN for their efforts to make the Meeting successful.