Hanoi (VNA) – A regional technical assistance project for the Greater Mekong Subregion Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Programme (CCESP) was launched at a workshop on September 23.

The event, held virtually by the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE) under the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, brought together members of the Working Group on Environment (WGE), and representatives from concerned government agencies of GMS countries, development partners, socio-economic organisations, universities, and research institutes.

Financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the project aims to support the implementation of the GMS Core Environment Programme (CEP) Strategic Framework and Action Plan endorsed by environment ministers of GMS countries.

The bank has signed a contract with international consulting firm Ramboll that will be in charge of implementing the project.

The CCESP is the third and current phase of the GMS Core Environment Programme (CEP), which will run until 2025. The CCESP is managed under an ADB regional technical assistance (TA 9915), and covers six priority themes that were identified during the 24th Annual Meeting of the GMS WGE in 2019: building climate and disaster resilience; facilitating low carbon transitions; promoting climate-smart landscapes; enhancing environmental quality through pollution control and sustainable waste management; deploying digital technologies for climate actions and environmental sustainability; and financing low-carbon and climate-resilient infrastructure and technologies, including demonstrating climate and disaster risk financing instruments.

This will build on the achievements and lessons from the first two phases of the CEP, and will continue to support environmental cooperation and green investments in the GMS.

ISPONRE Director Nguyen Dinh Tho said during the workshop, the delegates discussed methods to realise the project.

He affirmed Vietnam’s commitments and resolve to address challenges regarding natural resources, environment and climate change, which have been reflected through the issuance of major documents in this field.

Through the CEP, Vietnam has stepped up environmental cooperation with other GMS countries, Tho added.

The workshop will last until September 24./.
VNA