Representatives of Vietnamese and foreign organisations gathered at a forum in central Da Nang city on May 22 to seek ways to boost public-private partnerships (PPP) for disaster risk management in the locality.

The function, part of a project funded by the US Agency for International Development, was organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the Asia Foundation and the Disaster Management Centre.

Participants said to maximise the effectiveness of this partnership model, which involves cooperation between private enterprises and government agencies, Da Nang needs to step up the promotion of information to local businesses to raise their awareness of the issue and build an action plan on PPP for disaster risk management.

The city was also urged to create a legal framework defining interests and responsibilities of businesses and State agencies when engaging in the partnership.

Attendees said that the implementation in Da Nang will set an example to be expanded across Vietnam.

Nguyen Dien, Deputy Director of the VCCI office in Da Nang, said climate change is an urgent issue at present, therefore PPP is necessary to minimise disaster risks to the business circle, helping them grow sustainably.-VNA