Vietnam vows action to mitigate climate change

(VDP) - Vietnam pledges to implement a number of policies to cope with climate change, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has said. Deputy PM Hai, who is also Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee for Response to Climate Change, made the remark to sponsors of the Support Programme to Respond to Climate Change (SP-RCC) at a conference in Hanoi on October 28.

Deputy PM Hoang Trung Hai (middle) speaks at the conference. (monre.gov.vn)

Vietnam has gone to great lengths to deal with the issue, Deputy PM Hai stressed, adding that action on climate change is an integral part of the country’s socio-economic development plans and strategies.

The Deputy PM did, however, cite limitations to efforts on climate change, such as poor co-ordination between sectors, irregular assessment of climate change projects, and failure to mobilise human resources.

He asked ministries, sectors and localities to keep up to date with the latest scenarios, scrutinise plans to adjust alternatives, duplicate pilot projects of the National Target Programme to Respond to Climate Change (NTP-RCC) and promote science and technology research activities.

SP-RCC donors praised the role of the government in directing the implementation of SP-RCC programme policies, and affirmed that they will provide financial support in 2013, 2014 and subsequent years.

They will also provide technical assistance with building and realising action plans on climate change adaptation.

The Prime Minister approved the SP-RCC’s 2013 capital allocation for 11 projects last year at a total cost of VND350 billion (US$16.45 million).

The programs operate principally in Hau Giang, An Giang, Kien Giang, Lao Cai, and Lai Chau provinces.

As of June 2013, the country had disbursed VND86.6 billion (US$4.07 million), 21.9% of the total amount, which will be fully distributed by year’s end.

(Nhan Dan online)