Environment

Measures needed to make Mekong Delta adaptive to climate change

It is essential to promote sustainable development of the Mekong Delta in the direction of effectively adapting to climate change, given the region’s strategic position in national socio-economic development and security defence, experts have said.
Measures needed to make Mekong Delta adaptive to climate change ảnh 1Saline intrusion in the Mekong Delta (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – It is essential to promote sustainable developmentof the Mekong Delta in the direction of effectively adapting to climate change,given the region’s strategic position in national socio-economic developmentand security defence, experts have said.

Covering a total area of 3.94 million hectares across 13provinces and city, the region is Vietnam’s largest agricultural productioncentre and holds an important role for the nation’s economy.

However, the region is facing a lot of big challenges,including climate change which is getting more and more unpredictably. If noappropriate measures are taken, the sea level rise will submerge about 40percent of the delta’s area by 2100, affecting the livelihoods of 55 percent ofits population and food security of not only the country but also the wholeworld.

Prof Dao Xuan Hoc, President of the Vietnam IrrigationAssociation, said that one of the main reasons for erosions and negativechanges along rivers and coastlines in the region is the lack of alluvium.

To develop the Mekong Delta sustainably, experts stressedthe importance of building the delta’s Integrated Regional Master Plan in2021-2030 with a vision to 2050.

In a recent conference to seek ideas and consultations fromleaders of Mekong Delta localities, experts and scientists for the draft masterplan, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said that the draft hasbeen designed on the principles of safeguarding locals, improving theirlivelihoods and protecting the environment, towards sustainable development in allthe three economic, social and environmental pillars, with people put at thecentre and climate change adaptation considered a development method.

Measures needed to make Mekong Delta adaptive to climate change ảnh 2Harvesting rice in Mekong Delta (Photo: VNA)
Secretary of Ben Tre province’s Party Committee Phan Van Maisaid solutions must be feasible while creating breakthrough changes and thereshould be both intra- and inter-regional solutions.

It is also necessary to pay attention to the coastaleconomic corridor development so as to open up a new development space to makethe delta worth of living amid climate change, he stated, highlighting theimportance of building mechanisms and policies to attract investment ininfrastructure, especially the coastal route connecting Ho Chi Minh City withlocalities in the region.

Secretary of Can Tho city’s Party Committee Le Quang Manhproposed investing more in science and technology, and agriculturaldevelopment, as well as in high-quality human resources in the agriculturalsector./.
VNA
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