A seminar was held in Can Tho city on December 22 to gather ideas from both domestic and foreign experts to adjust the Mekong Delta construction plan by 2020 with a vision to 2050.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Construction Phan Thi My Linh said that the planning adjustment will help define and promote the position of the region, better connect with national development strategies and well adapt to climate change.

Nguyen Viet Thang from the Southern Institute for Construction Planning stressed the necessity to develop the Mekong Delta in line with the country’s green growth strategies and adaptable to climate change, rising sea level and flooding.

By 2030 with a vision to 2050, it should become the nation’s key zone specialising in agricultural production and aquatic farming with rapid growth, strong maritime economy and attractive eco-tourism, he stated.

Meanwhile, Prof. Bruno De Meulder from Belgium’s University of Leuven noted that the region’s development has yet to match its potential. Mekong is the second most important river of the world, which can bring about a lot of benefits if it is exploited properly.

For success, he suggested zoning out the whole region, not a particular locality to avoid the regional ecosystem disorder.

The region should also pay attention to both ecological and social environment elements, and maintain coastal mangrove forests along West and East Seas to reduce impacts of climate change and rising sea level, while deploying natural resources appropriately, he said.-VNA