The announcement was made at the opening of the new Australian Consulate General in HCM City .
Minister Carr, who is currently on a three-day official visit toVietnam, said Australia will contribute 2.03 million USD to thepartnership build on the existing agreement between Australia’sCommonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO),and enhance the capacity of scientists from Vietnam’s Ministry forNatural Resources and Environment and the Hanoi University of Science.
“The fundamental goal of the aid programme is overcoming poverty andaddressing climate change which is critical to protecting and improvingthe lives of those who depend on the natural environment for theirincome, food and water,” Carr said.
“ Vietnam is one ofthe most vulnerable countries to climate change, particularly theMekong Delta where rising sea levels, salt water intrusion and floodingare already impacting vulnerable coastal communities,” he added.
The partnership will assist Vietnam in analysing, understanding andundertaking future climate change projections, with Vietnamese PhDstudents helping to analyse data and climate modeling at CSIRO inAustralia .
On March 28, the Australian Foreign Ministeris scheduled to meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh,Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh, President Truong TanSang and Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.-VNA