The Mekong Delta needs a coordinating organisation in the fight againstclimate change to oversee synchronous and effective implementation ofrelated measures, according to experts at the 2015 Mekong Delta Forum.
Forum participants called for joint efforts fromregional localities to mitigate impacts from the phenomenon,emphasising that no province can single-handedly deal with the issue.
Deputy Head of the Steering Committee for theSouthwest Region Duong Quoc Xuan declared the review of plans in allfields from transport infrastructure to production to be the firstpriority of the coordinating organisation.
Theimpact of climate change should be taken into account in theconstruction of urban and residential zones, and resettlement andproduction arrangement, he added.
Cao Van Trong,Vice Chairman of the Ben Tre provincial People’s Committee, reportedthat his province has invested in building and upgrading facilities inresponse to climate change, but has encountered difficulties due to thelack of coordination with other localities in the region.
At the forum, held in Ho Chi Minh City from February 2-3,delegates called for increased investment from the Government andinternational organisations to help the region tackle climate change.
They also stressed the need for consultations andadvice from experts in the field in designing response measures andorganising activities to raise public awareness of climate changeimpacts.
Participants suggested that theSteering Committee for the South-western Region can serve as thecoordinator in the field.
The Mekong Delta region, the largest plain in Vietnam , is home to over 17 million people.
The region, which comprises 13 provinces and cities, accounts for 27percent of the national GDP and 90 percent of Vietnam ’s total riceexport volume. Large aquaculture zones are also located here,contributing nearly 60 percent of the country’s aquatic product exportvalue and creating jobs for more than six million people.
However, Mekong Delta is believed to be one ofthe most vulnerable areas to the impacts of climate change in the world.It frequently suffers from floods, droughts and unusual weatherpatterns.
Scientists predict aone-metre rise in sea level could result in 40 percent of the MekongDelta being submerged. The region currently loses 1,000 ha of land eachyear due to coastal erosion.-VNA
Forum participants called for joint efforts fromregional localities to mitigate impacts from the phenomenon,emphasising that no province can single-handedly deal with the issue.
Deputy Head of the Steering Committee for theSouthwest Region Duong Quoc Xuan declared the review of plans in allfields from transport infrastructure to production to be the firstpriority of the coordinating organisation.
Theimpact of climate change should be taken into account in theconstruction of urban and residential zones, and resettlement andproduction arrangement, he added.
Cao Van Trong,Vice Chairman of the Ben Tre provincial People’s Committee, reportedthat his province has invested in building and upgrading facilities inresponse to climate change, but has encountered difficulties due to thelack of coordination with other localities in the region.
At the forum, held in Ho Chi Minh City from February 2-3,delegates called for increased investment from the Government andinternational organisations to help the region tackle climate change.
They also stressed the need for consultations andadvice from experts in the field in designing response measures andorganising activities to raise public awareness of climate changeimpacts.
Participants suggested that theSteering Committee for the South-western Region can serve as thecoordinator in the field.
The Mekong Delta region, the largest plain in Vietnam , is home to over 17 million people.
The region, which comprises 13 provinces and cities, accounts for 27percent of the national GDP and 90 percent of Vietnam ’s total riceexport volume. Large aquaculture zones are also located here,contributing nearly 60 percent of the country’s aquatic product exportvalue and creating jobs for more than six million people.
However, Mekong Delta is believed to be one ofthe most vulnerable areas to the impacts of climate change in the world.It frequently suffers from floods, droughts and unusual weatherpatterns.
Scientists predict aone-metre rise in sea level could result in 40 percent of the MekongDelta being submerged. The region currently loses 1,000 ha of land eachyear due to coastal erosion.-VNA
