Government releases “Action plan on sustainable and climate-resilient development of the Mekong Delta”

On 13 April 2019, the Prime Minister signed Decision No. 417/QD-TTg promulgating the National Action Plan to implement Government Resolution No. 120/NQ-CP, dated 17 November 2017, on sustainable and climate-resilient development of the Mekong Delta.

The action plan defines six key groups of solutions to implement the resolution, focusing on reviewing and completing current policies and mechanisms, updating and systemising data, building territorial planning, developing an economic structure adaptive to climate change, upgrading infrastructure, and mobilising available resources.

Accordingly, current policies and mechanisms relevant to the Mekong Delta shall be better coordinated to prevent overlaps. Particularly, policies on land and technology transfer in agricultural production will be examined and amended to improve the region’s resilience to climate change.

Under the action plan, the region will develop a climate-smart economic structure with a focus on aquaculture, fruit trees and rice cultivation. Priorities will be placed on developing green growth and low carbon pathways, thereby focusing on renewable energy, reforestation, coastal protection, flood protection, and eco-tourism.