Public officials and experts gathered at the online seminar "Mekong Delta: Adapting to the climate and recovering from the pandemic." — Photo baochinhphu.vn

HÀ NỘI — Experts and public officials believe that regional connection and agricultural economic development in the Mekong Delta need to be continued, as discussed in a seminar on Thursday.

Addressing the event, Dr. Võ Tòng Xuân, rector of Nam Cần Thơ University, emphasised that the Government’s resolution on the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta in adapting to climate change (Resolution 120) was a timely initiative, especially when climate change has been causing a significant impact on the region and the world. 

“In the four years following Resolution 120, it is evident that provinces, ministries and departments have been moving in the direction of adapting to the climate to develop the Mekong Delta, and the agricultural economy,” said Dr. Xuân.

While acknowledging the efforts of local authorities and people in improving the farming systems, he also noted that transformation remained stagnant in several areas, while farmers still have to figure things out on their own. 

“I hope that in the near future the Government will deploy a more specific plan to ensure the direction of adapting to the climate,” said Dr. Xuân.

“Departments and farmers should also sit down and discuss with businesses of major production outputs for better results following the resolution.”  

According to Nguyễn Đình Thọ, director of the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment, it has been a difficult year for the Mekong Delta and the country due to the impact of COVID-19.

To ensure the implementation of Resolution 120, it is necessary to focus on solutions adapted to the climate and suitable to the environment. 

Việt Nam is currently carrying out the Regional Development Plan to 2030, which is an opportunity to develop integrated planning that is appropriate to the ecosystem and the surrounding landscape. 

The plan is also expected to create favourable conditions for businesses and people in developing a regional connection, especially between HCM City and the southeastern region of the country. 

“Connecting to HCM City is of utmost importance. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment also determined that the priority is to develop infrastructure planning for industrial parks and urban areas that can adapt to change and the ecosystem,” said Thọ.

He also added that if the task was well-executed, public investment would produce great results and can attract numerous resources.

According to Dr. Trần Thục, vice chairman of the Advisory Council for the National Committee on Climate Change, it is necessary to have an integrated master plan for the whole Mekong Delta, which would be implemented in localities and clusters.

Trần Quang Hoài, director-general of Việt Nam Disaster Management Agency (under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development – MARD), also reported that the ministry had been drastically implementing the Government’s directions on adapting to the climate, with agricultural production plan tailored to freshwater, brackish water, and saline water.

“In regard to disaster management, it is a must to put humans at the focus and adapt to the climate. We cannot just build structures everywhere, as many areas are not favourable for construction,” said Hoài.

He also added that the MARD and local and international scientists agreed that infrastructure building must be appropriate to the actual situation in the Mekong Delta and climate change.

The Government had also been working on science-technology programmes regarding disaster management, which includes the Mekong Delta region. — VNS