Vietnam and Denmark both have ambitious goals for combatting climate change and completing a green transition. At COP 26, the Prime Minister of Vietnam made a bold commitment to reach net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. Denmark is a frontrunner when it comes to green transition and the climate agenda. The Danish government has an ambition to reduce CO2 emissions with 70 percent before 2030 and to reach climate neutrality by 2045. A green strategic partnership between Vietnam and Denmark will strengthen the already close and fruitful cooperation between the two countries and support both countries’ endeavours in reaching their own national targets and international commitments on green transition and climate change.
On November 1st 2023, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh of Vietnam and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark jointly declared the establishment of a Green Strategic Partnership (GSP) between Vietnam and Denmark.
Vietnam and Denmark are long-standing partners in a vast number of areas. The GSP is a mutually beneficial framework for advancing political cooperation, expanding economic relations relevant to green growth, creating jobs and strengthening cooperation on global challenges and solutions on the green transition and climate change; with focus on the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Vietnam is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change with a high dependence on fossil fuels and increasingly energy-hungry industries. Being one of the fastest growing economies in Asia with a population of more than 100 million people, Vietnam plays a significant role, and is an important partner politically and economically, in the global green transition and fight against climate change. Vietnam is also an important business partner and an attractive investment destination for Danish companies. At present, there are more than 135 Danish companies in Vietnam. Denmark is also one of the biggest European investors in Vietnam.
The GSP builds on and consolidates the existing political cooperation on climate, energy, trade and business, food and agriculture, health, education, statistics etc. and enables new initiatives of mutual interest. The GSP will also help accelerate the bilateral trade and investment, with a focus on sustainable business and investment, between Denmark and Vietnam.
A mutually agreed action plan with ambitious goals and concrete actions will ensure full implementation of the GSP with a view to further enhance knowledge and exchange of best practice, strengthen capacity and promote technology transfer in the ongoing cooperation projects.
Read the Joint Statement here
