Conference on Sustainable and Climate-resilient Development for Mekong Delta

* Earlier the same day, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc received Ambassadors of Germany, Australia and Sweden to Viet Nam at the sidelines of the Conference.

14h00': Vuong Binh Thanh, Chairman of An Giang Provincial People's Committee called for reviewing planning schemes for the Mekong Delta and clearly identifying role of each locality in the region.

14h18': Nguyen Tien Hai, Chairman of Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee suggested orientations for development of coastal provinces of the Mekong Delta.

 14h27': Professor Huynh Thanh Dat, Director of the Viet Nam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, suggested improving the quality of teachers and quickly replanning educational system in the region.

14h39': Le Minh Hoan, Secretary of provincial Party Committee of Dong Thap underlined the importance of coordination among State-businesses-people in climate change adaptation and suggested smart agriculture models.

 14.45': Nguyen Thien Nhan, Politburo member, Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee said the Mekong Delta is facing critical challenges like sea level rise, high rainfall, land depression, thus requiring good planning and use of water resources.

He called for careful studies on tree planting along the coastal areas and seeds for the whole region.

The conference attracts the participation of representatives from development partners.

15h05': Professor Vo Tong Xuan called for more support for trade promotion to boost consumption of the region's farm produce.

15h17': Professor Dao Xuan Hoc proposed construction of a multi-functional coastal road.

15h23': Regarding financial solutions, Nguyen Duc Thang, representing private sector, said official development assistance is not enough for infrustructure projects, thus mechanisms needed to lure private investment and protect private investors in line with international standards.

15h35'-16h00': Representatives of international organizations suggested solutions to saltwater intrusion and landslide prevention, data management, inter-regional cooperation, and information sharing, biodiversity preservation, water management, restoration of underground water resources among others.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Photo:VGP

Right in September, the Government will issue a resolution which covers solutions to sustainable development in the Mekong Delta, said the Government chief.

He tasked relevant relevant ministries and agencies to collect ideas and proposals at the conference and soon finalize the resolution for further discussion at the Cabinet meeting earlier next month.

The Government will organize this kind of conference every two years to review the realization of goals and measures for sustainable development of the Mekong Delta, he said.

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8AM: The second day of the Conference on sustainable and climate-resilient development for Mekong Delta began in the southern city of Can Tho.

The Mekong Delta includes one centrally-run city and 12 provinces, the second most populated region in Viet Nam after the Red River Delta.

Speaking at the event, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc warmly welcomed and extended thanks to leaders of ministries, agencies, local and foreign scientists and representatives of development partners to the Conference on sustainable and climate-resilient development for Mekong Delta.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) and Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung inspect impacts of climate change in the Mekong Delta on September 26, 2017. Photo: VGP

Earlier on September 26, PM Phuc and Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung inspected impacts of climate change in the Mekong Delta-the biggest rice hub of Viet Nam with the rice export share accounting for 90%.

On the same day, PM Phuc received Director of Staff of Dutch Delta Program Commissioner Hermen Borst who is in Viet Nam to attend the conference which is designed to seek best possible solutions, including financial solutions to develop the region sustainably in the wake of heavy impacts of climate change.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (middle), Deputy PM Vuong Dinh Hue (left) and Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung (right) attend the Conference, reflecting the Government's serious care for the region. Photo: VGP

* The participants watched a video to see how climate change has impacted the region.

* The region accounts for 12.4% of Viet Nam's natural land area, 19% of the country's population. Surface temperature rose 0.5 degree Celsius on average between 1958 and 2014.

* Since 2005, the Mekong Delta lost around 300 ha/year due to soil erosion.

*  In case the sea level rises by 100cm, 38.9% of the region's land will be affected. The rate could be 80.62% in Hau Giang province and 76.9% in Kien Giang province.

* PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc urged the participants to talk FRANKLY in order to figure out the best solutions to ensure sustainable development in the Mekong Delta.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha speaks at the conference. Photo: VGP

8h43': Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha presented a general report on challenges, opportunities and solutions to transform the region's growth model.

He called for awanress changes about the Mekong Delta in the direction that its development must be linked to Ho Chi Minh City.

The region also needs breakthrough mechanisms to attract private sector in infrastructure and industrial development.

9h05': Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung read a report summarizing the outcomes of the session on overall planning held on September 26.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung. Photo: VGP

The report highlighted the importance of overall planning and mechanisms for luring resources for the region's development, including private investment in climate change adatation, capacity improvement, and sharpening business environment...

* PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc said State capital allocated to the region accounts for some 20%. The World Bank has committed to granting a US$300 million loans in the time to come, sending the total investment capital volume to around US$1 billion USD. The fund will be used to finance projects on climate change adaptation.

Photo: VGP

9h27': Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong read a report on outcomes of the session on sustainable agricultural development and prevention of landslide.

According to Minister Cuong, the participants to the session suggested agricultural restructuring should be carried out on the basis of biodiversity to fully promote the region's advantages.

Aquaculture shoud be strictly controlled to prevent environmental pollution.

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Representatives of international organizations speak:

* Mr. Pham Tuan Phan, Chief Executive Officer of the Mekong River Commission talked about measures for sustainable use of water resources.

The region also needs a joint development vision.

* World Bank Country Director in Viet Nam Ousmane Dione emphasized the importance of the Mekong Delta region's adaptability to climate change.

He also uderlined the importance of multi-sector coordination for flexible responses to changes and investment capital should be allocated and used effectively based on the region's joint vision.

12h25: An Interval of 20 munites

11h10': After the Interval, Assistant to Viet Nam's Foreign Minister Vu Quang Minh underlined the importance of cooperation among sub-Mekong region countries in addressing challenges and coping with climate change.

He suggested effective implementation of the relevant international commitments and the Mekong Agreement while combining regional, inter-regional and global cooperation, and paying due care to mobilization of resources for development in the Mekong Delta.

 11h19': Highly valuing the Vietnamese Government's efforts, UNDP Country Director Louis Chamberlain called for accelerating inter-government cooperation, developing a comprehensive and strategic approach to the Mekong Delta.

The Government should also take measures to further mobilize foreign and private resources, foster information sharing, fruitfully use underground water resources, etc., with a focus on vulnerable groups to ensure that no one left behind.

11h29': German Ambassador to Viet Nam Christian Berger affirmed that the German Government will cooperate closely with the Vietnamese side in addressing the current challenges in the Mekong Delta.

He agreed with a proposal on establishing a Mekong Delta Coordination Council.

* Australian Ambassador to Viet Nam and Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director in Viet Nam stressed on the need to develop infrastructure in the Mekong Delta, suggested the evaluation of impacts of climate change in service of desiging planning schemes.

The ADB pledged to offer credit package to finance projects in the region.

12h04': The Netherlands' Ambassador to Viet Nam spoke highly of PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc's attendance at the conference, saying this is a strong message of Viet Nam amid climate change challenges.

The diplomat affirmed the Netherlands and other development partners will work closely with the Vietnamese Government in this field.

The Ambassador suggested measures related to policies, planning, and financial resources for the Mekong Delta.

12h13': Minister of Construction Pham Hong Ha suggested connectivity between the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City-the country's biggest economic hub.

12h21': Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Nhat said his Ministry will review transport general planning schemes.

12h27': A representive of Japanese Embassy in Viet Nam said Japan will help Viet Nam in infrastructure development, prevention of saltwater intrusion, water management, improvement of agricultural productivity and legal framework.

14h00': The Conference will continue with discussions and PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc will deliver closing remarks.