The French Agency for Development (AFD) has pledged 20 million EUR (25.4 million USD) in loan for the fourth tranche of the Support Programme to Respond to Climate Change (SP-RCC) in Vietnam.

A credit agreement to this effect was signed by Deputy Minister of Finance Truong Chi Trung, French Ambassador to Vietnam Jean-Noel Poirier, and AFD Director Remi Genevey in Hanoi on September 30.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Deputy Minister Trung said the budgetary support brought the total AFD contribution to SP-RCC programme up to 80 million EUR.

This demonstrates the joint efforts between the Vietnamese and French Governments and the agency to realise the national targets on climate change and green growth, he said.

Vietnam hopes that the French Government and the AFD will provide more financial and institutional support for the country to carry out adaptive measures in the field, he noted.

Ambassador Jean-Noel Poirier underlined climate change adaptation as one of the top priorities in cooperation between France and international partners, including Vietnam.

He hailed Vietnam’s effective operation in the field since the project was launched in 2009 and pledged the French Government will further support the country’s efforts.

In 2006-2013, AFD provided 382 million EUR (484.7 million USD) for Vietnam through 14 development projects, focusing on climate change response and adaptation.

Since 1994, the cumulated official development assistance (ODA) the agency has granted to Vietnam figured up to 1.5 billion EUR (1.9 billion USD), with 70 projects.-VNA