The meeting was held to update the progress of the tasks assigned under Decision No. 1009/QĐ-TTg dated August 31, 2023, by the Prime Minister approving the Implementation Plan for the JETP Declaration and the tasks of the JETP Secretariat.

Attending the meeting were representatives from units under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, including: the Department of Innovation, Green Transformation and Industrial Promotion, the Electricity Department, the Foreign Market Department, the Petroleum and Coal Department, research institutes, universities, and the EVN, PVN, and TKV groups; representatives from the Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs, Public Security, Science and Technology, Construction, Agriculture and Environment; and representatives from the State Bank of Vietnam.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hoang Long stated that although there had been some fluctuations recently, especially the United States’ withdrawal from the JETP Declaration, partners have continued to maintain exchanges, meetings, and have demonstrated strong commitments to support and implement JETP in Vietnam. International partners have announced they are completing final tasks to announce the first projects receiving JETP funding and are actively working with Vietnam to review and select subsequent projects. This is a positive signal because, after the efforts of all parties, the JETP cooperation has initially produced concrete results. The Deputy Minister urged ministries and sectors to proactively coordinate to promptly address the obstacles raised by partners regarding each specific project.

It can be affirmed that, with the strong attention and decisive direction from the Government and the efforts of ministries and sectors, regulations within Vietnam’s legal system have been promptly issued and adjusted to suit practical requirements and context, contributing to removing obstacles and barriers in mobilizing resources and implementing projects.

The amended Power Development Plan VIII has been approved as an important foundation to promote the implementation of numerous energy projects and also serves as a basis for considering projects that may participate in the JETP mechanism.

“For previously proposed projects, we have basically resolved major obstacles. I expect that, with this momentum, the progress of implementing projects under the JETP framework will continue to be strongly promoted,” Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long emphasized at the meeting.

On behalf of the Department of Innovation, Green Transformation and Industrial Promotion (Ministry of Industry and Trade), Deputy Director Quach Quang Dong presented a report on the implementation status of the JETP Declaration. Mr. Dong stated that, within the framework of JETP, only four countries have officially announced participation so far: South Africa (December 2021), Indonesia (November 2022), Vietnam (December 2022), and Senegal (June 2023).

In Vietnam, with its role as the Standing Agency of the JETP Secretariat, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has proactively coordinated with ministries, sectors, the International Partners Group (IPG), and relevant parties to actively implement the JETP Declaration and has achieved several important results.

Specifically, regarding JETP projects, according to Mr. Quach Quang Dong, in 2024, the JETP Secretariat and international partners agreed to select eight projects that meet the JETP criteria for resource mobilization and implementation. To date, three projects have shown positive progress and are being collaboratively implemented by the involved parties.

The first is the Bac Ai Pumped Storage Hydropower Project – Phase 2, which was recently launched with a construction commencement ceremony organized by Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and the Electricity Project Management Board 3. This is the first JETP project to be implemented with funding from AfD, JICA, KfW, EIB, CDP, and Propaco. All six donors have agreed on the main terms with EVN and will soon sign agreements with each donor.

The second is the expansion of the Tri An Hydropower Plant project, which KfW has expressed interest in, and the related parties are actively discussing to finalize the loan agreement soon. The third is the construction of the 500kV Binh Duong 1 Substation, 500kV Dong Nai 2 Substation, and the 500kV Binh Duong 1 – Song May Tan Dinh Transmission Line project, in which AfD has shown interest; the Binh Duong transmission component is expected to be signed by the end of May 2025.

“On May 16, 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Trade sent partners 25 proposed project ideas with preliminary analyses. At the beginning of June, IPG, GFANZ, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade will jointly review and select projects suitable for JETP and notify the relevant project owners to continue discussions and negotiations with specific partners,” Mr. Quach Quang Dong added.

Regarding some issues faced by international partners when considering support for the eight projects identified as JETP projects, Mr. Tang The Hung – Deputy Director of the Electricity Department – said that while some projects are progressing well, others still face barriers. These obstacles mainly fall within the functions and jurisdiction of the related ministries and sectors. Therefore, the Deputy Director of the Electricity Department requested the ministries and sectors to pay attention and coordinate promptly to resolve difficulties and facilitate implementation.

At the meeting, delegates representing ministries and sectors contributed many opinions related to policies and mechanisms, financial support methods for implementing JETP projects, the importance of coordination among stakeholders, and the meaning and requirements of “equity” in the energy transition.

In conclusion, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long requested ministries, sectors, and agencies to continue coordinating with the Standing Agency of the Secretariat (Ministry of Industry and Trade) and the JETP Support Unit, UNDP, to resolve obstacles and promote the development and implementation of projects that meet JETP criteria. The Deputy Minister also emphasized the need for international partners and donors to ensure the factor of “equity” during cooperation in implementing JETP projects (issues related to employment, vocational training, social welfare, vulnerable groups, etc.).

The JETP Secretariat reaffirmed its commitment to accompany international partners in achieving a just energy transition, leveraging support resources to contribute to promoting Vietnam’s development towards a green and sustainable direction.