(VOVworld) – Vietnam is among the countries most affected by climate change. The National Strategy on Responding to Climate Change has called on international donors to engage in long-term projects. VOV reporter Thu Hoa looks at Vietnam’s international cooperation in responding to climate change, on the occasion of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s visit to Vietnam.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung addresses the summit on development cooperation for the Mekong Delta (photo: Van Tam/ VNA)

Climate change is a pressing issue in Vietnam and many other countries. Losses of human life and property caused by climate change have forced governments to adopt special climate change policies. The Vietnamese government has approved the National Target Program on Responding to Climate Change, compiled scenarios on climate change and rising sea levels for regions until 2050, and built a National Action Program. Vietnam’s policies on climate change involve international donors and countries who have experience in this field. 

The Netherlands and Vietnam cooperate in responding to climate change

The Netherlands and Vietnam established a Strategic Partnership Agreement on adapting to climate change and water management during Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to the Netherlands in 2010. Since then, both countries have actively implemented the Agreement by forming the Vietnam-Netherlands Intergovernmental Committee and have cooperated in 8 water management areas including water resources evaluation, water for food, and water infrastructure.

The Committee convened its 1^st meeting under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai and Prince Willem Alexander of the Netherlands in March, 2011, where cooperation was discussed in water management, adapting to climate change, and protecting agricultural ecosystems. Vietnam and the Netherlands agreed to work together under the Mekong Delta Plan, curbing floods, improving water supply, and waste water treatment, and building financial mechanisms and greater capacity in urban and rural development and planning. During follow-up meetings, the two sides established Intersectoral Steering Committees and working teams for cooperative projects in climate change, water and land resources management, and sea level rise mitigation.

During Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s visit to Vietnam in 2014, he and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on June 17 co-chaired a summit on development assistance for the Mekong Delta, a step forward in implementing the Strategic Partnership Agreement on climate change. Many localities in Vietnam and the Netherlands have cooperated on specific projects.

International cooperation in protecting natural resources and the environment

Vietnam has cooperated with other countries in water resources management, meteorological forecasting, and land management. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has managed 58 foreign cooperation projects worth 430 million USD. Last year, the Ministry launched a project to recover mangrove forests in several provinces. The National Program on Responding to Climate Change has disbursed nearly 12 million USD for mangrove forest plantation. With support from the Danish government, many localities have built sea dykes, planted mangrove forests, built concrete houses for people in disaster-prone areas, and created fresh water supply systems.

Vietnam will continue to cooperate with other countries and with organizations like the WB, the ADB, and UN agencies to achieve its targets.