Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng said at the conference

 PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng and his counterpart Mark Rutte co-chaired a high-level conference on collaborative support to development of the Mekong Delta in Ha Noi on June 17.

Attending the meeting were leaders of ministries and central agencies; Mr. Victoria Kwakwa -National Director of World Bank in Vietnam; Mr. Tomoyuki Kimura Asian Development Bank Country Director in Vietnam; Mr. Pratibha Mehta - Resident Coordinator of the United Nations (UN) in Vietnam; Ambassadors, Representatives of international organizations.

Mekong Delta with high competitive advantages in agricultural economics has contributed more than half the country‘s rice production, contributing to Vietnam ranks among the leading rice exporter in the world. This area is also rich in biodiversity, habitats and migratory stopover for many species of birds, fish, is of great significance for the conservation of biodiversity in the world.

Even so, the Mekong Delta never face with many challenges as in curent time, including the negative impacts of climate changes as well as the growing pressures of economic development society has not really sustainable.

Therefore, this area is receiving special attention of the Vietnam’s Government and the international community to achieve the objective of ensuring the prosperity and sustainable development in terms of adapting with climate changes.

Speaking at the conference, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung stressed that the international community is concerned with the negative impacts of climate changes. This is the great challenges for the economic development of Vietnam society when Vietnam is one of countries will be affected by climate changes the most.

Being aware of these challenges, along with the efforts of the international community, the Vietnam’s Government has directed and implemented to integrate responses to climate change in the planning, developing socio-economic plans. Vietnam has gradually improved institutional and implementation of national strategies for prevention, disaster mitigation; coped with climate change; green growth; enhanced resource management, environmental protection and has established a national steering committee to cope with climate changes the Prime Minister as direct Chairm.

Expressing glad when seeing the efforts of Vietnam in the recent period has been recognized and supported of the international community, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung stated, in the framework of the Strategic Partnership for adapting climate change and management between the two countries, Vietnam appreciated the Netherlands has supported Vietnam in Research Plan "Mekong Delta". The research results along with recommendations as a basis foundation for Vietnam to consider reviewing and adjusting the orientation, development plans of the region have strategic significance of this extremely important. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said that, in fact, many programs and projects of socio-economic development of the Mekong Delta are being supplemented, adjusted basic orientation of this study.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung stated 5 policies to cope with climate change and socio-economic development of the Mekong Delta region.

Accordingly, the first one is, to promote the highest potential and comparative advantage of localities in the region, promote economic restructuring and application of science and technology, transforming growth model towards development depth associated with ensuring national food security. Investment in some key areas having advantages comparision; develop models that link the value chain from production to consumption and export; settingg up the diversity, flexibility Credit network…

The second one, to develop a comprehensive system of urban, residential and engineering infrastructure, social infrastructure systems towards friendly environment, eco-tied fields, gardens, rivers and islands.

The third is, to combine closely economic development with the social development, education and training, health, culture, sport, tied to make progress, social justice, gradually improve the quality of life of the people; promote the alleviation of poverty, reduce disparities in social development between regions and between ethnic minorities in the region.

The fourth, to have sustainable development, economic development associated social-economical use of resources, protection of ecological environment; proactive solutions to prevent and respond to climate change and sea level rise; closely combining economic development with social and ensuring national defense and security, water security and food security

The fifth, holistic nature of inter-regional and inter-sectoral economic development and social Mekong Delta region, forming mechanism of coordination between horizontal and vertical local inter-agency central and local.

On behalf of the Government of Vietnam, Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng appreciated highly and gave the warmly thank the support of Dutch government, the development partners to Vietnam in recent years; Vietnam urged the international community to continue to support efforts to respond to climate change in Vietnam in general and in particular for the Mekong Delta.

Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng affirmed that Vietnam government always respects and manages effectively on using ODA and pledge to create favorable conditions, the contribution of their resources to deploy the effective support of donors to the Mekong Delta.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said at the conference. Photo: Nhật Bắc

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that the Netherlands and the Mekong Delta has many similarities a lowland areas, high population density and equivalent area. Both sides are also facing the same challenges, such as rising sea levels, flow changes and salinity. That‘s why four years ago, Vietnam and the Netherlands have decided to work closely in this area. In late 2013, a long-term vision has been set for the area, called "Plan Mekong Delta".

Emphasizing the calls for an action framework for powerful developing plan, Dutch Prime Minister said that in order to succeed in a long-term plan as "Plan Mekong Delta" needs a clear strategy Of course, with the proper perspective and institutional organizations. Netherlands is willing to share experience accumulated from thousands of years of water for the delta region and other desirable to learn from the experience of residents have lived for centuries in the region other deltas.

"Learning from each other is one way to strengthen and requirs the joint efforts of both sides. We can turn theory into action in order to fully exploit the potential of this area together, "Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said. 

At the conference, the development partners also affirmed the long-term collaboration with the authorities of Vietnam to support the integrated and sustainable development of Mekong Delta; expressed the confidence in a brighter future development of this nutitient Delta.

Source: baodientu.chinhphu.vn