A delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment led by Minister Pham Khoi Nguyen took part in the 5 th Global Oceans Conference in Paris from May 3-7.

The conference, themed “Ensuring Survival, Preserving Life and Improving Governance, took place in the context of the International Year of Biodiversity and the 50 th founding anniversary of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. It attracted more than 700 delegates from 80 countries and territories worldwide.

Speaking at the conference, the Vietnamese minister stressed that Vietnam , as a coastal nation and one of the countries in the world hardest hit by climate change, is aware of the importance of seas and coastsal areas for its sustainable development in the new climate regime.

“Therefore, the Vietnamese government and people are trying their best to implement every measure to cope with the negative impacts of climate change and rising sea level,” he said.

He also called for more support from developed countries for developing nations in effectively managing oceans, seas, coasts and islands in order to prevent the negative impacts of climate change and rising sea level through aid, technological transfer, sharing knowledge and strengthening the capacity to cope with these problems.

On the sidelines of the Global Oceans Conference, Minister Nguyen worked with the Supreme Council of Notaries of France (SCN) and met with President of the Global Environment Fund (GEF) Monique Barbut.

While working with the SCN, which owns a joint venture implementing a project to improve and modernise the land management system in Vietnam’s three big cities, namely Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, the minister suggested that the joint venture complete its feasibility study on the project ahead of schedule in October this year in order to help these cities timely complete their land use plans.

He also urged the French side to expand the project to other cities, including Can Tho and Hai Phong, and assist Vietnam in the management of underground works.

The SCN representatives said they are ready to continue assisting Vietnam in improving the land management system, especially in training land administration staff.

At the meeting with the GEF President, Minister Nguyen emphasised Vietnam ’s demands in the coming time, including the integrated management of coasts, marine biodiversity and the lower section of the Mekong River , and adaptability to climate change.

For her part, President Monique Barbut spoke highly of Vietnam ’s efforts in the management of natural resources and environment. She pledged to provide Vietnam with a non-refundable aid of around 30 million USD to implement environmental projects under the GEF 5 plan and stressed that Vietnam is one of the first countries to receive GEF aid.

The Vietnamese delegation also visited the National Library of France and the French Agency of Defence History to study and collect data on Vietnam ’s sovereignty as well as marine and island resources at the East Sea region./.