THE HAGUE — Việt Nam wishes to learn from the Netherlands’ experience with planning strategies and mobilising finance to sustainably develop its Mekong Delta, said National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân.

Ngân made the remark while meeting Hermen Borst, Director of the Staff of the Delta Programme Commissioner, at The Hague on Monday, as part of her official trip to the European country.

Underscoring her visit’s aim of strengthening ties with the Netherlands and its parliament, the top legislator said Việt Nam–Netherlands relations have undergone 45 years of fruitful development across multiple fields, with increasing political trust.

The two countries signed strategic partnership arrangements on Climate Change Adaptation and Water Management in 2010 and on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in 2014, she noted, saying these are effective co-operation models capitalising on the Netherlands’ strengths and contributing to sustainable growth in Việt Nam.

For his part, Hermen Borst said he took part in a conference on the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta in response to climate change, held in Việt Nam’s Cần Thơ city last year.

He said he was impressed with the speech made by Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc at the conference and with the local government’s issuance of Resolution 120/NQ-CP on the matter in 2017.

Both Việt Nam and the Netherlands are affected by climate change, the official noted, informing the Vietnamese NA Chairwoman of his country’s experience in the field, particularly its support for the Delta Act and Delta Programme.

The Delta Act constitutes the legal basis for the Delta Fund, which can be used to finance the projects of the Delta Programme.

The Delta Commissioner leads the Delta Programme, which includes research to identify climate challenges and potential solutions and the submission of recommendations to parliament for suitable financing.

With such experience, the Netherlands wants to stand side by side with Việt Nam in adapting to climate change and protecting water resources, he said.

Expressing her delight at the Dutch official’s speech, Ngân said it would be valuable knowledge for Việt Nam on its path to sustainably develop the Mekong Delta. —VNS