The Vietnamese delegation, led by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh, attended the 18th ASEAN Environment Ministers’ Meeting (AMME-18) and related conferences at the Langkawi International Convention Centre (LICC), Malaysia, from September 2–4.
Vietnam does not trade environment for economic growth
On behalf of the delegation, Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh expressed his honor in addressing the meeting, congratulated Malaysia on assuming the ASEAN Chairmanship for 2025, and thanked the host country for organizing the event.
He highlighted that over recent years, Vietnam has implemented a comprehensive set of policies, initially halting the downward trend in environmental quality and achieving significant improvements in key indicators. Vietnam currently ranks 51st out of 165 countries and territories in sustainable development, up 37 places since 2016.
“We are firmly committed to not trading the environment for economic growth,” Mr. Thanh affirmed, while reiterating Vietnam’s COP26 commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, demonstrating the Government’s strong determination for green and sustainable development.
The 18th ASEAN Environment Ministers’ Meeting (AMME-18) was held in Malaysia. The Vietnamese delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le CongVietnam’s Positive Contributions in ASEAN
Vietnam is recognized as an active member of ASEAN, introducing numerous initiatives in the region. The country currently has 12 ASEAN Heritage Parks, among the highest numbers in the bloc. Vietnam has also hosted numerous forums and conferences on climate change, environmental management, and biodiversity, creating opportunities to share policies and mobilize international support.
Building on its Net Zero 2050 commitment, Vietnam has promoted dialogues on energy transition, carbon markets, and the circular economy, while implementing multiple projects with other countries on forest conservation, protection of endangered species, and climate adaptation. Vietnam has also actively participated in negotiations on plastics.
According to Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh, ASEAN has achieved significant outcomes, from coordinated policies and common positions at COP meetings to advancing international environmental negotiations. The ASEAN Secretariat has played an important role in coordination, providing forums for experience-sharing, and mobilizing resources.
However, in the face of increasingly severe climate change, natural disasters, biodiversity loss, and complex environmental pollution, Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh called on ASEAN to take stronger and more substantive action.
He proposed a set of key solutions, including: improving regional cooperation mechanisms and aligning national strategies with ASEAN’s common action framework; sharing knowledge, green technologies, and climate–biodiversity data; mobilizing green finance and developing a regional carbon market; launching joint initiatives on forest, marine, and endangered species conservation; and continuing to enhance the central role of the ASEAN Secretariat.
“With unity, responsibility, and strategic vision, ASEAN will assert its pioneering role in addressing climate change and protecting the global environment. Vietnam is committed to working alongside fellow member states to build a greener, cleaner, safer, and more prosperous ASEAN,” he emphasized.
The agenda items expected to be adopted at the 18th ASEAN Environment Ministers’ Meeting include: the ASEAN Joint Declaration on Climate Change to be submitted to COP30, the new nominations for ASEAN Heritage Parks, and the report of the Board of Directors of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity.
Discussion on Transboundary Haze Control
Within the framework of AMME-18, the 20th Meeting of the Committee on the Implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (COM-20) was held in Langkawi. This technical meeting reviewed the progress of ASEAN’s 2023–2030 Haze-Free Region Roadmap and prepared agenda items for AMME-18.
Vietnam and Malaysia co-chaired the COM-20 meeting. Representing Vietnam, Dr. Bui Chinh Nghia, Deputy Director of the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, participated in leading the discussion sessions, demonstrating Vietnam’s strong commitment to promoting regional environmental cooperation.
COM-20 focused on solutions for forest fire and haze control, including enhancing hotspot monitoring, sustainable land management, and implementing early warning systems based on satellite technology and real-time data sharing. The meeting also reviewed progress on the second Haze-Free Roadmap, the status of the ASEAN Haze Control Fund, plans to establish a new ASEAN Coordination Centre, and an investment framework for sustainable land management.
Through its technical role at COM-20 and policy engagement at AMME-18, Vietnam continues to assert its position as an active and responsible partner in building a green, sustainable, and haze-free ASEAN.