The World Bank on Monday congratulated Vietnam on their high-level attention to building resilience in areas impacted by climate change and disaster risks.

It also hailed Vietnam’s green growth strategy and action plan, while urging the country to forge ahead on a low-carbon and resilient growth path, according to the World Bank website.

The World Bank said the statements were made during meetings between World Bank Group Vice President & Special Envoy in charge of climate change, Rachel Kyte, and Vietnamese State President Truong Tan Sang and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

"Climate change is a fact. It is intensifying threats to development and growth and there is no benefit in delaying action. Vietnam's leadership in climate action, green growth and building resilience is widely recognized," Kyte said.

"Moreover, Vietnam recognizes the need to coordinate climate action at the highest level and we look forward to continuing to work together to tackle the climate challenge.”

During these meetings, the participants discussed several areas of mutual interest, including building resilience in vulnerable areas and sectors.

They also discussed bilateral relationships on climate change and green growth, in which the World Bank official reaffirmed the bank’s willingness to continue its support for Vietnam by bringing in both global knowledge and financing.

The meetings were part of Kyte’s visit to Vietnam on August 24-25 at the invitation of the Vietnamese Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.

During this visit, Kyte attended a high-level meeting on climate change with Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai and other high-ranking officials.

She also participated in Mekong Delta roundtable talks for collaboration amongst development partners, and a dialog with private sector companies on investment opportunities relating to climate change

On a field trip to Ben Tre Province, she learned first-hand about the impacts that salinity intrusion and coastal erosion are already having on local economic development, people’s livelihoods, and gained an understanding of the adaptation strategies and coping mechanisms of local communities.  

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