The 1st ASEAN-US Ministerial Dialogue on Environment and Climate Change (AMS, ASEC & US), was held in Vientiane on August 24, aiming to exchange views on how to strengthen cooperation between ASEAN and the US to achieve shared goals of combating climate change towards net zero emission.
ASEAN and the US have attached a great deal of importance of enhancing cooperation in four key areas outlined in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) namely climate-friendly transportation technologies including electric vehicles, ecosystem, smart cities, sustainable infrastructure and connectivity, environment and climate change. As we all know, global warming affects not only the ASEAN region but worldwide, Lao Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Bounkham Vorachit said.
The Lao PDR and other ASEAN Member States have been actively collaborating with international organizations, development partners and relevant stakeholders to implement various climate change projects within our respective countries and region. Furthermore, collective efforts among all stakeholders are necessary to 2 develop the ASEAN Joint Leaders’ Statements on Climate Change to the UNFCCC since 2016-COP22.
The ASEAN-US Environment and Climate Work Plan focuses on four key areas of cooperation: (1) enhancing climate ambition and regional mitigation and adaptation; (2) innovation for a low-carbon future; (3) mobilizing climate finance; and (4) supporting environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. All of which will be instrumental to fostering ASEAN-US climate and environmental cooperation.
The meeting has provided an effective platform for our future cooperation in promoting innovation to support regional climate mitigation and adaptation, including enhancing climate ambition commitments and efforts to achieve the overarching goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as implement the Paris Agreement’s pathway to net zero emissions and climate resilience by 2050 into reality.
They exchanged views on how to their joint efforts and collaboration within the ASEAN-US cooperation framework aiming to support environmental protection and biodiversity conservation as well as contribute to achieving the ultimate goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degree Celsius and improving climate resilience.
Source: Lao News Agency
