Vietnam holds a meeting in response to International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction. (Photo: Anh Huyen/VOV5)

Deputy Prime Minister Thanh, Head of the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and Chairman of the National Committee for Natural Disaster Response, Search and Rescue, chaired a meeting in Hanoi on Wednesday to respond to International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (October 13). 

The meeting was attended by the UN regional office, the ASEAN Secretariat, ambassadors, international organizations, disaster risk reduction partners, and local leaders.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Thanh, Vietnam is a member of international organizations and forums concerned with this matter, including the SENDAI Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Paris Climate Accord, and the Kyoto Protocol extension to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Despite its endeavor, Vietnam continues to be challenged by climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. Its own effort is not enough, Deputy PM Thanh said, Vietnam needs foreign partners for this.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh addresses the meeting. (Photo: Anh Huyen/VOV5)

“The Vietnamese government makes natural disaster risk reduction a top priority to protect people’s lives, health, and property. Vietnam wants foreign friends to help us access advanced technology and funding for natural disaster response and recovery. Vietnam creates all the best possible conditions for international organizations to carry out their projects to improve Vietnam’s natural disaster risk reduction capability,” according to the Deputy Prime Minister.