Conference promotes cooperation to protect Mekong River
A conference on how to enhance cooperation in protecting the Mekong River via smarter water energy planning approaches and wide application of renewable energy throughout the Mekong region was held in Hanoi on June 28.
Hanoi (VNA) - A conference on how to enhance cooperation in protecting theMekong River via smarter water energy planning approaches and wide application ofrenewable energy throughout the Mekong region was held in Hanoi on June 28.
The event was jointly organised by the Stimson Centre, the International Union forConservation (IUCN) and the US Embassy in Vietnam.
Brian Eyler from the Stimson Centre said an initiative on a Mekong connectionprogramme was built by the Stimson Centre, IUCN, Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Universityof California Berkeley (UCB), the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam with financial assistancefrom the US Embassy in Vietnam and the project “BuildingRiver Dialogue and Governance” (BRIDGE).
The programme proposes promoting the purchase and sale of electricity betweenVietnam and Laos, especially implementing the strategic master plan on water andenergy in Vietnam and Laos; and changing the energy investment portfolio ofboth countries to minimise environmental, social and political impacts.
It also promotes Vietnam's overseas investment in renewable energy inLaos and Cambodia, while maximising investment in wind, solar, biomass power andreducing hydroelectricity projects.
JakeBrunner, Acting Chief Representative of IUCN Vietnam, to fulfil the objectivesof the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) reportof the Paris Agreement, and strengthen cooperation with Laos and Cambodia,Vietnam needs to take full use of and promote its advantages to accelerate agreener and cleaner approach in ensuring regional energy security, and minimisingrisks to the Mekong Delta region.
Participants highlighted the progress of the Mekong connection programme, whichprovides information for Vietnam’s management agencies and stakeholders onopportunities and tools applicable to optimise water and energy use.
In addition, the programme has promoted connection and sharing of informationbetween research institutions and international organisations working in thewater and energy sectors, with relevant stakeholders in Vietnam.
In the coming time, IUCN, the Stimson Centre, the Vietnam Diplomatic Academyand partners will continue organising extensive consultations to reachconsensus in governmental agencies, thus promoting strategy building on sustainableenergy development in the region.-VNA
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A view of Mekong River (Source: AFP/VNA) 
