At a consultation workshop, co-hosted in Hanoi on September 23 by 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),  Vietnam and the three United Nations (UN) agencies have reaffirmed their joint commitment to place health at the heart of climate action, ensuring that climate policies protect lives, build resilience, and leave no one behind.

The event aimed to advance the integration of health into Vietnam'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 Government News remarked in a report published on September 24,

The workshop, entitled "Consultation Workshop on Climate Change and Health: Advancing Health Integration in Vietnam'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 Vietnam'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 Vietnam between $1–3 billion in healthcare expenses and up to $23 billion in productivity losses by 2050. With 70 per cent 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 Vietnam, as quoted by the Government News, highlighted the country's progress and global role. "Vietnam 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 Vietnam'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, also quoted by the Government News, 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.

Meanwhile, UNICEF Representative Silvia Danailov emphasized children's vulnerability to climate change, reaffirming UNICEF's commitment to child-centered climate policies, according to the news source, which quoted the UNICEF representative as saying that “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 Vietnam's climate agenda.”

The consultation is aligned with Vietnam'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. Vietnam 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, Vietnam 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.