The northern province of Yen Bai plants 15,000 ha of forest each year, striving to raise its forest coverage to 65%. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of NaturalResources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh has hailed the World Bank (WB)’seffective cooperation with Vietnam, especially in climate change response,green growth and environmental protection.
At aworking session in Hanoi on July 10 with Anna Wellenstein, Director for Sustainable Development in EastAsia and the Pacific, and Global Director for Environment, Natural Resources,and Blue Economy at the WB, Khanh informed that on June 30, theMinistry of Natural Resources and Environment approved a project on the implementationof the carbon market in Vietnam and assigned its Department of Climate Changeto work closely with the WB, ministries and agencies concerned on the project.
Healso lauded the WB for its financial initiative to support low-carbon ricecultivation.
The minister hoped that the WB would continue with its support package for the NationalWater Programme with a multi-sectoral and multi-target approach and integratedwater resource management. He added that the ministry asked the Department ofWater Resources Management to propose tasks in need of the WB’s help, such asamending the Water Resources Law and establishing a national water resourcesdatabase.
Khanh also sought thelender’s assistance in the project “Mekong Delta Climate Resilience and IntegratedTransformation” to build upon the past achievements of the previous project “MekongDelta Integrated Climate Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods".
Regardingthe second stage of the Hydro Chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) phase-out project under the Montreal Protocol, he affirmed Vietnam's strong commitment to phasing out ozone-depletingsubstances. To launch the subsequent project titled "SustainableManagement of Chemicals Regulated under the Montreal Protocol”, the minister tasked theClimate Change Department with working with the WB on the prospects andapproval of the project.
Onenvironmental pollution and development of circular economy, he said the PollutionControl Department and the Institute of Strategy and Policy on NaturalResources and Environment will continue partnering with the WB to deploy airpollution measurement and management models in Hanoi, and transition to acircular economy for development and environmental protection.
Regarding the Improved Land Governance and Database (VIGL) project, the ministerproposed the WB continue providing support in certain activities related toland valuation, land information system building, and pilot activities at theDepartment of Planning and Development of Land Resources and in the central cityof Da Nang.
Wellenstein,for her part, said the WB and Vietnam are collaborating on multiple projects related to climatechange adaptation, green growth, and environmental protection.
The WB will continue increase its support for Vietnam in achieving goals regarding climate changemitigation, environmental protection toward a circular economy, greenhouse gasemission reduction, sustainable livelihood development, biodiversityconservation, she said./.
