Un climate change conference

Spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang provided more information about a woman recently found guilty of tax evasion, and rejected rumours she was penalised for climate change activities. Speaking at the ministry’s regular press conference, Hang said the Hanoi People’s Court on June 17 held the first-instance trial and sentenced Nguy Thi Khanh to 24 months in prison for tax evasion under Article 200 of the Penal Code. The investigation and hearing was carried out in line with law, the trial was held publicly, and the defendant had all her rights guaranteed in accordance with law, the spokeswoman noted. “Vietnam adamantly fights against and strictly deals with law violations in accordance with legal regulations. All citizens are equal before the law,” she stressed, adding that Vietnam has carried out communications and education measures to gradually … [Read more...] about Climate activist prosecuted for tax evasion pleads guilty: spokeswoman

Vietnamese influential climate activist Nguy Thi Khanh was jailed for tax evasion, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Thursday, refuting the rumor that she was criminally charged for her climate-related activities. Khanh was sentenced to 24 months in prison for tax evasion during her trial at the Hanoi People’s Court on June 17. The investigation and hearing were carried out in line with the law, and the trial was held publicly, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang answered the questions from foreign media during a regular press meeting on Thursday. The defendant had all her rights guaranteed in accordance with the law, Hang added. Vietnam is determined to fight and strictly deal with violations of the law in accordance with regulations, the diplomat stressed, adding that all citizens are equal before the law. Khanh was investigated and indicted for her economic offense, particularly breaking the rules on tax management, and she pleaded … [Read more...] about Vietnam refutes rumor that prize-winning environmentalist was jailed for climate-related activities

Illustrative image (Source: baodautu.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – A workshop themed “Vietnam as your Green business opportunities destination” was held by the Belgian Vietnamese Alliance (BVA) and the Flanders International Technical Agency (FITA) in Brussels on June 22 to introduce Vietnam’s potential in renewable energy and sustainable port development. Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg Nguyen Van Thao said that although the world in general and the two regions of Asia and Europe in particular have seen positive signs of a “new normal” period after two years of being hit by COVID-19, the global economic environment has remained fragile due to various factors, including geopolitical uncertainties, new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, severe disruption of supply chains, pressures from rising inflation, as well as the challenges in sustainable development and the unpredictable impacts of climate change. As a coastal country that suffers regular … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Belgium seek stronger partnership in renewable energy, port development

Addressing a seminar in Hanoi on June 22, Hoang Tien Dung, Director of the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said as Vietnam is a dynamic economy with fast growth for many consecutive years, demand for energy, especially electricity, has been on the rise. With its own efforts and assistance from partners, the country is gradually reducing power sources using fossil fuel and promoting new, clean, and renewable energy, he said, noting that this is also an inevitable trend that helps guarantee a sustainable economy. So far, Vietnam has obtained certain results in increasing the share of renewable power in its power system. It is planning to develop lower-carbon power generation and accelerate fuel transition in the coming time, Dung said. However, the official pointed out that the emergence of new electricity sources has also posed the system to sustainability and stability challenges, which requires coordination in terms of both … [Read more...] about Vietnam strives to boost energy transition: official

Viet Nam's consulate-general in Australia Nguyen Dang Thang speaks with participants at the event. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Minh More than a hundred businesses from Viet Nam and Australia gathered for a trade and investment promotion event organised by the Australia Vietnam Business Council (AVBC) in Sydney, Australia. Speaking at the event, AVBC President Kiem Dinh said the Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy, signed in December last year, reaffirmed the two countries' commitment to strengthening ties and sustainable economic development. Viet Nam's consulate-general in Australia Nguyen Dang Thang said Viet Nam-Australia relations have been built on a foundation of mutual respect and understanding, common interests and similar views on international events. The two countries have been and will stay committed to an open trading system and have ratified a number of regional and international trade agreements including the Comprehensive and Progressive … [Read more...] about VN-Australia to further boost trade and investment ties

Ngụy Thị Khanh, former head of NGO GreenID and known for advocating the reduction of coal-fired power in Vietnam, was handed a prison sentence for economic crimes, not her environmental activism, spokesperson for the foreign ministry Lê Thị Thu Hằng said on Thursday. Ngụy Thị Khanh, director of Vietnam’s Green Innovation and Development Centre (GreenID), has been arrested for tax fraud. — Photo courtesy of Hanoi Police During the regular press briefing held in Hanoi, Hằng said that on June 17, the People's Court of Hanoi opened a first-instance trial and had subsequently sentenced the 46-year-old Ngụy Thị Khanh to 24 months in prison for tax evasion under Article 200 of the Penal Code. She was arrested earlier in February by the Hanoi's police. The investigation and trial process were conducted in accordance with the provisions of law, Hằng said, adding that the trial was held in public and the defendant’s rights were fully guaranteed as prescribed by … [Read more...] about Environmentalist prosecuted for tax evasion, not her activism: Foreign ministry

Vietnam said speculation that the woman was punished for her activities in the reduction of coal power is groundless. Nguy Thi Khanh, the first Vietnamese person awarded the world’s Goldman Environmental Prize, has been sentenced to two years behind bars for tax fraud. Nguy Thi Khanh. Photo: GreenID On June 17, 2022, the Hanoi People’s Court handed the sentence pursuant to Article 200 of the Penal Code and the investigations and conviction comply with the  law while the trial was public, according to Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Commenting on the sentence, Hang said Khanh violated Law on Tax Administration and admitted committing the crime, saying  speculation that Khanh’s conviction resulted from her activities and opinions related to climate change is unfounded and inconsistent with the nature of the case. Hang made the statement in response to a question raised at a press conference held on June 23. She said all … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s 1st Goldman Prize awardee jailed for tax fraud

AVBC President Kiem Dinh speaks at the a conference in Sydney on June 23. (Photo: VNA) Sydney (VNA) – The Australia-Vietnam Business Council (AVBC) held a conference in Sydney on June 23 to promote trade and investment partnerships through the strengthening of the Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy that was reached between the two countries in late 2021. Addressing the event, which drew nearly 100 businesses from a variety of sectors, AVBC President Kiem Dinh said that the conference marked a commitment from Vietnam and Australia to promote their partnership in many areas, heading to sustainable and inclusive economic growth in both countries. He said that in 2022, the AVBC and its members are focusing on implementing activities as part of the strategy. For his part, Vietnamese Consul General in Sydney covering New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia Nguyen Dang Thang affirmed that Vietnam-Australia relations are growing based on the … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Australia promote trade, investment partnership

Headquarter of Viettel Group in Hà Nội. Việt Nam should have a strategy to promote the development of green buildings, a vital part of achieving the country's environmental goals. — Photo kinhtedothi.vn HÀ NỘI — Developing energy-efficient buildings is an inevitable trend for Việt Nam to achieve its environmental objectives. The energy used by high-rise buildings in Việt Nam accounts for around 35-40 per cent of the country’s total energy consumption. A survey by real estate service firm Cushman & Wakefield (CWK) showed that around 40 per cent of gas emissions came from real estate. According to the Việt Nam Green Building Council, there are about 200 green buildings across the country. At the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2021 (COP26), Việt Nam committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. To achieve the environmental goals, Việt Nam needs to develop more energy-saving buildings that are high quality to reduce the negative impact on the … [Read more...] about Energy-efficient buildings on the rise in Việt Nam

Headquarter of Viettel Group in Ha Noi. Viet Nam should have a strategy to promote the development of green buildings, a vital part of achieving the country's environmental goals. — Photo kinhtedothi.vn Developing energy-efficient buildings is an inevitable trend for Viet Nam to achieve its environmental objectives. The energy used by high-rise buildings in Viet Nam accounts for around 35-40 per cent of the country’s total energy consumption. A survey by real estate service firm Cushman & Wakefield (CWK) showed that around 40 per cent of gas emissions came from real estate. According to the Viet Nam Green Building Council, there are about 200 green buildings across the country. At the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2021 (COP26), Viet Nam committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. To achieve the environmental goals, Viet Nam needs to develop more energy-saving buildings that are high quality to reduce the negative impact on the environment, … [Read more...] about Energy-efficient buildings on the rise in Viet Nam