The U.S. government has increased its support to Vietnam in its green growth strategy as part of efforts to help the Southeast Asian country to effectively combat climate change, said U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius. With the launch of the four-year $4 million initiative supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Strengthening Capacity and Institutional Reform for Green Growth and Sustainable Development in Vietnam (CIGG project) is aimed to help the country to advance its national green growth strategy and achievement of sustainable development goals. “This project will assist Vietnam in a number of critical green growth-related areas,” said U.S. Ambassador Ted Osius, adding that “the project will help develop policies for promoting investment in green growth development and improve access to green growth financing for Vietnam.” The project also receives support by the UN Development Program (UNDP). Being one of five countries suffering most from climate change, Vietnam is among a growing number of developing countries looking to spur investment in green innovation and improve the efficiency of natural resources use. The Southeast Asian country borrowed roughly $1 billion from foreign countries and organizations for climate change response programs since 2009. On Jan 22, a council supporting the National Committee for Climate Change debuted with the participation of leading Vietnamese scientists in climate change, greenhouse effects and carbon dioxide emissions. The committee is responsible for the Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation (SREX Vietnam). (vietnam.usembassy.gov Jan 21, Dai Doan Ket – Great Unity Jan 23 p2)
