Viet Nam places health at center of climate action

The Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, together with the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), co-hosted a consultation workshop in Ha Noi on September 23. 

The event aimed to advance the integration of health into Viet Nam's national response to climate change and contribute to the country's upcoming Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) 3.0, to be submitted ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil in November 2025.

The workshop, entitled "Consultation Workshop on Climate Change and Health: Advancing Health Integration in Viet Nam's NDC 3.0," gathered representatives from government agencies, development partners, and academia. Participants worked to identify priority actions that would embed health considerations into national climate policy.

Integrating health into Viet Nam's climate response is considered crucial not only to safeguard lives but also to enhance health system resilience, reduce economic losses, and ensure climate action delivers broader social and economic co-benefits.

According to estimates, climate change could cost Viet Nam between US$1–3 billion in healthcare expenses and up to US$23 billion in productivity losses by 2050. With 70 percent of the population living in coastal or low-lying areas, the risks of flooding, saltwater intrusion, and extreme weather pose a direct threat to public health.

Speaking at the workshop, Dr. Angela Pratt, WHO Representative in Viet Nam, highlighted the country's progress and global role. "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. 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," she said. 

UNDP Resident Representative Ramla Khalidi stressed that placing health at the center of climate ambition can unlock new financing, build resilience, and generate better outcomes for both people and the planet. A healthy population is the foundation of a resilient economy, a productive workforce, and a thriving society.

UNICEF Representative Silvia Danailov emphasized children's vulnerability to climate change, reaffirming UNICEF's commitment to child-centered climate policies. 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 that children's rights remain a priority in Viet Nam's climate agenda.

The consultation is aligned with Viet Nam's COP26 pledge to build climate-resilient and sustainable health systems, as well as its role as a steering committee member of the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH) in the Western Pacific Region. Viet Nam is also pursuing complementary goals such as reducing air pollution in major cities to ensure a cleaner, healthier future.

As climate change increasingly manifests as a health crisis, Viet Nam and its partners are determined to strengthen cooperation to protect communities, safeguard development gains, and demonstrate leadership in linking climate ambition with people's well-being./.