Viet Nam and the United Nations strengthen joint commitment to climate action

On September 23, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and three United Nations (UN) agencies,  the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), held a consultation workshop in Ha Noi to advance the integration of health into Viet Nam’s national response to climate change. The workshop contributes to updates of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) report that Viet Nam is preparing ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Brazil in November 2025.

The workshop, titled "Consultation Workshop on Climate Change and Health: Advancing Health Integration in Viet Nam’s NDC 3.0," brought together representatives from national and provincial government agencies, development partners and academia, to identify priority actions for embedding health into climate policy.

Speaking at the event, Dr Angela Pratt, WHO Representative in Viet Nam, emphasized that climate change is a growing threat to public health and that Viet Nam is taking decisive steps to address it.

“At the national level, Viet Nam is already demonstrating strong leadership and commitment, as well as playing an increasingly important role in regional and global efforts, including as a very active member of WHO’s ATACH. Strong national climate goals and policies will deliver major health and economic benefits. Strengthening the integration of health into Viet Nam’s NDC 3.0 will help to ensure that climate action protects lives and promotes health and well-being. WHO is strongly committed to supporting the Government of Viet Nam in all of these efforts," she shared.

According to Dr Angela Pratt, integrating health into Viet Nam’s national climate response is essential to protect lives, strengthen health system resilience, and ensure that climate policies deliver maximum co-benefits. Positioning health as a central focus of climate action will not only save lives but also accelerate climate action, safeguard development gains, and demonstrate Viet Nam’s leadership in linking climate ambition with people’s wellbeing. This is aligned with Viet Nam’s COP26 commitment to build climate-resilient and sustainable health systems, and Viet Nam’s membership of the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH).

As a steering committee member for the ATACH in the Western Pacific Region, Viet Nam is driving technical cooperation and knowledge exchange to advance low-carbon, climate-resilient health systems. In addition, the country’s ambition to reduce air pollution in major cities also aligns with its broader goals for a cleaner environment and healthier population.

“A healthy population is the foundation of a resilient economy, a productive workforce, and a thriving society,” UNDP Resident Representative in Viet Nam Ramla Khalidi emphasized. “Ambitious climate goals, with health at their core, can unlock new finance, strengthen resilience, and deliver better outcomes for people and the planet. UNDP, together with UNICEF and WHO, is mobilizing expertise to ensure that action for the planet also means action for people’s well-being - cleaner air, stronger health systems, and greater capacity to withstand climate impacts.”

UNICEF Representative Silvia Danailov remarked on UNICEF’s commitment to “a strategic vision that places children and vulnerable communities at the heart of climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. In partnership with the Government of Viet Nam, UN sister agencies, and other partners, we have actively engaged and provided technical support to advance the integration of children’s health into the country’s climate change effort and the NDC 3.0. UNICEF will continue to support child- and youth-sensitive approaches so, together, we address the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, ensuring that children’s rights remain a priority in Viet Nam’s climate agenda.”

The consultation marks a key milestone in Viet Nam’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and its efforts to safeguard public health in the face of climate change. WHO, UNICEF and UNDP remain committed to supporting Viet Nam in ensuring that health is prioritized in national climate strategies and that no one is left behind.

Climate change is a health crisis. It is already contributing to more frequent and severe outbreaks of diseases such as dengue, extreme weather events, and threatening access to clean water - especially in vulnerable regions of Viet Nam. The carbon emissions driving climate change also contribute to worsening air pollution. The health system is on the frontlines of this crisis. It is estimated that by 2050, the impact of climate change could cost Viet Nam between USD 1 and 3 billion in healthcare costs, and up to USD 23 billion in productivity losses. Seventy percent of Viet Nam’s population lives in coastal or low-lying areas vulnerable to flooding, saltwater intrusion, and extreme weather.