Vietnam resolved to join effort in addressing challenges in Mekong River basin: official

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s participation at the fourth Mekong River Commission (MRC) Summit in Vientiane on April 5 demonstrates Vietnam’s attention and determination to carry forward its role in responding to challenges, while strengthening solidarity with other member countries in order to manage and use the river’s water resources sustainably, an official has said.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet said the PM delivered important, profound messages at the summit, affirming affirmed Vietnam’s strong commitment to the 1995 Mekong Agreement, and calling on countries to fully abide by the document as well as rules relating to the use of the water resources.

The Government leader also emphasised a comprehensive approach which takes people as the centre and the subject in the exploitation and use of the water resources, protects people’s legitimate rights and interests, and improves their adaptability to the river’s changes, along with extreme weather phenomena, floods, droughts and cross-border crimes.

Chinh proposed specific cooperation activities, such as enhancing data sharing, and joining hands in research, climate change response, sustainable waterway development, cross-border crime combat, the building of green economy and circular economy, electricity connectivity and energy development.

He also called on partner countries, especially upstream ones and development partners, to cooperate and step up their support in terms of knowledge, experience, finance and resources to the commission, helping it fulfill tasks and ensure sustainable development of the river and its basin.

PM Pham Minh Chinh (4th from right) and other delegates at the summit (Photo: VNA)

The Lower Mekong countries of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand have carried out various socio-economic activities which impact the exploitation and use, Viet said, citing forecast by experts that by 2040, the alluvium of the Mekong Delta will drop by more than nine times from the present, and nearly 30 times compared to 15 years ago.

The threat is further compounded by the extremely negative impacts of climate change that are causing extreme weather events, floods, droughts and sea level rise, resulting in saltwater intrusion that adversely affects the Mekong Delta as well as water and food security in the region.

Viet said many other delegates shared the PM’s messages, adding the participating countries also shared the need to enhance cooperation and set forth common plans and projects to ensure sustainable development of the basin./.

VNA