A delegation from Vietnam 's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), led by first Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Duc, met with officials of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Maryland on September 24 to discuss cooperation in the field of maritime and coastal science and technology.

At the meeting, MONRE Deputy Minister Duc said Vietnam was among the countries that are most vulnerable to sea level rise. Its coastal population and the two main deltas, Red River and Mekong River , which provide rice not only for Vietnam but other parts of the world, are most affected.

MONRE has been assigned by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to improve, through modernisation, hydrometeorology, maritime monitoring systems and the research of seas and islands, Duc said.

In response to climate change, Duc continued, Vietnam must join the world in its efforts, and thus, need the support from developed countries, including the US , with experience and advanced technologies.

William Corso, Deputy Assistant Administrator of Oceanic Services and Coastal Zone Management under NOAA, said that with a 200-year experience in maritime research, NOAA look forward to work with Vietnam in specific projects.

At the end of the meeting, Ass. Prof. Nguyen Van Cu, head of the Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands and Dr. William Corso signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of maritime and coastal science and technology between the two agencies.

Cooperation under the MOU includes exchange and provision of information and data on sciencific and technological developments, activities and pratices in the field, exchange of scientists and delegations for training purposes, and provision of equipment for testing, and others./.