The US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) signed first MOU in Việt Nam on climate change and environmental protection on Wednesday in Hà Nội. — Photo from USAID

HÀ NỘI — The US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) on Wednesday signed the first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two agencies in Việt Nam on cooperation to reduce pollution, mitigate climate change in the Mekong Delta, and accelerate the transition to clean energy in Việt Nam.

USAID/Việt Nam Mission Director Ann Marie Yastishock and KOICA Country Director Cho Han Deog signed the MOU.

“The United States is committed to cooperating with our global partners to collectively address the climate crisis,” said Mission Director Yastishock. “We are pleased to cooperate with KOICA to deliver on our shared goal with Việt Nam of an environmentally resilient future.”

“KOICA is putting environment and climate action at the center of its development cooperation. I believe that we could be more effective in our efforts to save our planet by working together rather than by working alone,” said KOICA Country Director Cho Han Deog.      

By working together at the operational level, USAID and KOICA intend to strengthen the impact and increase the efficiency of their programmes and achieve better measurable outcomes for the people of Việt Nam. Through cooperation, the two agencies will pursue shared development goals including, but not limited to reducing plastic and other types of pollution and improving solid waste management; enhancing biodiversity; mitigating emissions from the agricultural sector; increasing adaptation strategies of vulnerable populations in the Mekong Delta; and accelerating renewable energy development and deployment at the central and urban levels.

USAID has a number of initiatives focusing on combating climate change and strengthening environmental security and protection in Việt Nam. This includes developing clean energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting the natural environment including forests and threatened species, and engaging with local communities on environmental pollution issues, such as air pollution, waste management, and water conservation. Since 2010, USAID has provided assistance to Việt Nam's environment and energy sector. USAID currently implements 11 environment and energy projects in Vietnam, with a total combined value of over $160 million.

KOICA is committed to tackling climate change and promoting green growth. It is in the process of increasing its portfolio of related cooperation projects. In Việt Nam, particular attention is paid to waste-to-energy, marine plastic pollution, pollution monitoring, and forest conservation and its sustainable management. KOICA is trying to solve these problems through cooperation with various partners including academia, startups and private businesses where possible. — VNS