Workshop talks Mekong Delta’s sustainable development

Seawater threatened the Tay Vam Ray dike in Kien Giang province. (Photo: VNA)

It was jointly held by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment together with the Embassy of the Netherlands in Viet Nam, the World Bank and the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF).

It was part of events held in various countries in response to the virtual Climate Adaptation Summit slated for January 25 hosted by the Netherlands, which is to launch a comprehensive Adaptation Action Agenda with clear commitments to global efforts for climate adaptation with a vision to 2030.

Efforts in climate change adaptation by the Vietnamese Government were discussed at the workshop, as well as challenges and support for the Mekong Delta in the coming time.

In his remarks, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh called on ministries, sectors, localities and international organisations to bolster cooperation in climate change adaptation and sustainable development of the Mekong Delta, dubbed Vietnam’s “rice bowl”.

Close to 39 percent of the Delta’s land areas will be submerged and 10 percent of its population affected in case the sea level rises by 1 meter, threatening the food security of the country and the world, he noted.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment has joined hands with relevant agencies to develop a master plan for the Mekong Delta for 2021-30, with a vision to 2050 in a holistic approach, in an endeavor to capitalise on the region’s potential and strengths amid globalisation and international economic integration.

For her part, Dutch Ambassador to Viet Nam Elsbeth Akkerman said as both the Netherlands and Viet Nam are among the countries hardest-hit by climate change, the two Governments will continue to collaborate and devise suitable solutions to climate change for the Mekong Delta and Viet Nam at large, she added.

The WB's representative also pledged to continue working with Viet Nam for a clean environment.

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