Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) CanTho (VNA) – The Ministry of Planning and Investment, incoordination with the World Bank, held a conference on November 26 to seekideas and consultations from leaders of Mekong Delta localities, experts andscientists for the delta’s Integrated Regional Master Plan in 2021-2030 with a vision to 2050.
Thedraft master plan tabled for discussion is the first regional planning schemebuilt based on a multi-sectoral integrated approach under the Law on Planning.This is the last consultation conference held on the draft plan before theministry completes it and submits to the Government for approval.
Addressingthe event, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung stressed theimportance of the master plan, as it will be the basis for building many otherdevelopment plans for the region.
Inthe context of limited State budget resources and great demand forinfrastructure, the making of investment decisions should be based on theregional plan and the principle of “No-regret”, the minister said.
Inher remarks, the WB Country Director Carolyn Turk noted that the Mekong Deltais vulnerable to climate change and rising sea level. To cope with those trends,it is necessary to build new plans based on difference climate change scenariosfor the region and select suitable directions for investment following theprinciple of “low-regret” and “no regret”, she said.
Inthe opinion of Nguyen Huu Thien, an expert on Mekong ecology and environment, theMekong Delta master plan should apply “no-regret” measures which have low risksand side effects, and can be corrected if necessary.
Herecommended several priorities for the Mekong Delta, one of which is totransform its agriculture in the direction of reducing quantity and increasingquality and processing as well as value chains. It is also necessary to addresssinking, reduce the use of ground water, and restore rivers. He added thatnon-structural measures should be prioritized.
Thethree policies, which are Resolution 120/NQ-CP, the 2017 Law on Planning andthe Prime Minister’s Decision 593/QD-TTg will bring a golden chance for theMekong Delta, especially if Resolution 120/NQ-CP is correctly implemented, manyproblems faced by the delta will be solved, Thien said./.
Thedraft master plan tabled for discussion is the first regional planning schemebuilt based on a multi-sectoral integrated approach under the Law on Planning.This is the last consultation conference held on the draft plan before theministry completes it and submits to the Government for approval.
Addressingthe event, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung stressed theimportance of the master plan, as it will be the basis for building many otherdevelopment plans for the region.
Inthe context of limited State budget resources and great demand forinfrastructure, the making of investment decisions should be based on theregional plan and the principle of “No-regret”, the minister said.
Inher remarks, the WB Country Director Carolyn Turk noted that the Mekong Deltais vulnerable to climate change and rising sea level. To cope with those trends,it is necessary to build new plans based on difference climate change scenariosfor the region and select suitable directions for investment following theprinciple of “low-regret” and “no regret”, she said.
Inthe opinion of Nguyen Huu Thien, an expert on Mekong ecology and environment, theMekong Delta master plan should apply “no-regret” measures which have low risksand side effects, and can be corrected if necessary.
Herecommended several priorities for the Mekong Delta, one of which is totransform its agriculture in the direction of reducing quantity and increasingquality and processing as well as value chains. It is also necessary to addresssinking, reduce the use of ground water, and restore rivers. He added thatnon-structural measures should be prioritized.
Thethree policies, which are Resolution 120/NQ-CP, the 2017 Law on Planning andthe Prime Minister’s Decision 593/QD-TTg will bring a golden chance for theMekong Delta, especially if Resolution 120/NQ-CP is correctly implemented, manyproblems faced by the delta will be solved, Thien said./.
VNA
