Vietnam - Netherlands: Strengthening Cooperation on Climate Change, Sea Level Rise

Since the two governments signed the strategic partnership agreement on climate change adaptation and water management, Vietnam and Netherlands have jointly experienced a long journey to uphold the bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Over the past five years of carrying out the agreement, many cooperation contents have been signed and implemented by two countries with active support from various ministries, agencies, research institutes, universities and experts, technical advisors of Netherlands in such fields as graduate and post-graduation education on water management, climate change adaptation and ecosystem. Some notable cooperation contents include cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Rotterdam, water and climate services, and cooperation in small-scale irrigation channel dredging. Particularly, the Netherlands has provided support for developing the Mekong Delta Plan based on the Netherlands Delta Plan in order to establish a long-term vision and suggestions for the safe, sustainable and prosperous development of Mekong Delta.

 

Cooperation contents in the framework of the agreement have produced many positive results and mobilised close cooperation and coordination between the two governments and regions that share similarities in climate change adaptation and water management.

 

In addition, Vietnam appreciated the approach and solution of the Netherlands in building links among regions and localities, among levels and branches, and among private sector and research institutes to identify targets and provide comprehensive solutions to water and climate change issues. With these approaches, the cooperation between the two governments has achieved some remarkable results such as the successful construction of Mekong Delta Plan, the formation of climate adaptation strategy for Ho Chi Minh City to 2100, and the deployment of an industrial wastewater treatment project in Danang City.

 

Speaking at the meeting, Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Environment Melanine Schultz said that the Dutch Government highly appreciated Vietnam for placing priority on climate change and water resources management. In this regard, the two sides have regularly hosted many meetings for officials and localities concerned.

 

She said Vietnam has also spent resources and manpower to cope with climate change, particularly in the Mekong Delta. The Dutch Government has been, and will be, always ready to help Vietnam combat drought and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta.

 

With respect to cooperation in higher education and postgraduate education on water management, climate change adaptation and agricultural ecosystem, the Dutch Government funded training programmes for enhancing the quality of human resources for Vietnam, said Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Chu Pham Ngoc Hien. Capabilities of universities have been significantly enhanced, including human resources and facilities (laboratory equipment), thus helping improve sustainable water development.

 

“In the coming time, Vietnam expects the Netherlands to further support and cooperate in special research, with the focus put on officials and policymakers at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Vietnam, coordinate with specific research projects at the ministry, particularly expert support for the high successfulness of these projects, and integrate knowledge and experience of the Netherlands to current water management of Vietnam,” said Mr Hien.

 

At the meeting, an agreement on the construction of Phu My wastewater treatment plant in Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province was signed. The plant costs EUR41 million in the second phase, of which over EUR13 million comes from non-refundable aid of the Netherlands.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Hoang Van Thang said Vietnam is eager to receive more advice and assistance from the Netherlands on serious coastal erosion in Vietnam, particularly in critical areas that need immediate action like Cua Dai (Hoi An), Huong River Estuary (Thua Thien - Hue), Da Rang Harbour (Phu Yen), and coastal areas in Bac Lieu and Ca Mau provinces.

 

Based on what has been agreed and discussed in the meeting, Vietnam will continue promoting implementation of programmes and projects for which two parties have agreed to cooperate on, such as water resources planning for Red - Thai Binh River Basin, small-scale irrigation channel dredging, Hanoi - Amsterdam cooperation, Ho Chi Minh City - Rotterdam cooperation, and urban management and adaptation.