Vietnam officially joined the The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves
On December 29, 2011, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, on behalf of the Government of Vietnam, has sent the letter indicating the country's intention to join the The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, making Vietnam as the newest implemeting partner of the Alliance. This decision was a response to the invitation by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton extended to Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Pham Gia Khiem at the Ministerial Meeting of the Lower Mekong Itiative (LMI) held in July 2011, in Bali, Indonesia,
Approximately 70% of the population in Vietnam still utilize bio-fuel for their daily cooking needs. Throughout the years, Vietnam has been actively trying to develop new energy saving methods and the Clean Cookstove is one of the most promising solution up to date that would help conserve energy, elimitate toxic fumes, protect the environment and espcially the health of women in rural families who shoulder the daily cooking burden.
Speaking at the January 17, 2012 Panel Discussion organized by United Nations Foundation and the United States Government on The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves and a comprehensive strategy for the clean cookstoves and fuels sector, Deputy Chief of Mission, Dr. Nguyen Vu Tung indicated that in 2012 related agencies in Vietnam will focus on raise awareness about the Intiative, explore and build an alliance within Vietnam that would promote cooperation between the public and private sector for the production and distribution of the clean cook-stove in Vietnam, and develop a long-term strategy for the implemetation of the Initiative in Vietnam.
