Viet Nam actively contributes to global climate policy

On 17 November, at the COP30 Conference in Belém, Brazil, the session on the development of the Multirao Decision was convened. The COP30 Presidency announced the proposed thematic groups to be included in the draft Multirao Decision. This document consolidates the major priorities of COP30 and will serve as a strategic guide for global climate action in the coming period.

The proposed themes include: the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA); the work program on just transition; the Sharm el-Sheikh mitigation ambition and implementation work program; national adaptation plans (NAPs); the global stocktake; Article 9.5 on forward-looking climate finance reporting by developed countries; Article 2.1(c) on aligning financial flows with climate goals; and issues related to the impacts of climate-response measures. The draft also covers a range of other key topics related to climate finance, technology, and international funds, including the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Loss and Damage Fund, and the Adaptation Fund.

During the session, the Vietnamese Delegation reaffirmed the country’s commitment and proactive role in global climate negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). As a nation highly vulnerable to climate impacts, Viet Nam stressed that international decisions must be built on equity, reflect the needs and capacities of developing countries, and create enabling conditions for effective climate action.

The Multirao Decision is considered one of the pivotal documents guiding the coordination of major climate-related elements at COP30. For a coastal nation like Viet Nam, already experiencing significant impacts of climate change, the decision holds practical significance, as its orientations will shape how international mechanisms support adaptation efforts and disaster-risk reduction.

Among the thematic groups, Viet Nam placed particular emphasis on advancing issues such as the Global Goal on Adaptation; the just transition work program (JTWP); the mitigation work program (MWP); the formulation and updating of national adaptation plans (NAPs); and the global stocktake (GST).

A cross-cutting issue of decisive importance is climate finance. Viet Nam underscored the urgent need to enhance support from international climate funds, especially as developing countries must simultaneously pursue adaptation and emissions-reduction goals. In addition to existing mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility, Viet Nam actively supported discussions on implementing the Loss and Damage Fund.

The COP30 Presidency urged all parties to complete negotiations during contact group meetings, noting the limited time remaining for COP30. The High-Level Segment of the Conference will take place on 17 - 18 November 2025, with the participation of ministers and deputy ministers from countries around the world.

The Head of the Vietnamese Delegation delivered a national statement at the High-Level Segment on 18 November in Belém, Brazil.

Beyond the negotiation rooms, COP30 is unfolding at a time when the global climate architecture is undergoing significant shifts. The increased frequency of climate-induced disasters, coupled with slow progress in meeting the Paris Agreement targets, has intensified calls for more ambitious collective action. Many observers note that the Multirao Decision could become a turning point, setting the direction for how countries implement climate commitments between now and 2030, a period considered decisive for keeping the 1.5°C goal within reach.

Across COP30, discussions on adaptation carry particular weight. The Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) is expected to receive more structured guidance, including measurable indicators on resilience, early warning systems, and climate-resilient infrastructure. For developing countries, the credibility of the GGA depends heavily on whether it is paired with predictable, long-term financing and meaningful support for local communities facing rising climate risks. This is why many delegations continue to push for specific commitments rather than broad, voluntary frameworks.

Climate finance remains one of the most sensitive and closely watched elements of the negotiations. Several multilateral funds, the GCF, GEF, Adaptation Fund, and the newly established Loss and Damage Fund, are under pressure to demonstrate accessibility, transparency, and faster disbursement. Developed countries are also expected to present more detailed forward-looking finance information under Article 9.5, a requirement that aims to improve trust and planning for recipient nations. Negotiators are debating how to strengthen accountability for climate-finance pledges and how to design a financing landscape aligned with Article 2.1(c), which calls for redirecting global financial flows toward climate-compatible development pathways.