The 32nd session of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee continued on October 8 with a focus on the implementation of policies and laws on climate change mitigation in the Mekong Delta.

A working group within the Standing Committee examined the reports submitted by the 13 Mekong Delta localities, concluding that the impact of climate change in the region was becoming more complex, often varying between and within the provinces.

While soil erosion was the main risk in Tra Vinh, Ben Tre and Ca Mau provinces, Can Tho city and Vinh Long province were more affected by sea level rises and tidal surges, the report said.

The 13 localities issued 89 documents on climate change resilience and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. They also developed action plans on climate change and studied its impact on vulnerable sectors, such as agriculture, aquaculture, and water resources.

However, the working group pointed out that many local authorities did not take local conditions and the extent of climate change impacts into consideration in the documents.

Climate change response strategies had not been combined effectively with local socio-economic development plans, while lax inter-provincial cooperation and limited financial resources were also problematic, they added.

In their final report, the working group proposed several measures to enhance Vietnam’s climate change response, including updating climate change scenarios, developing long-term and short-term action plans, increasing the participation of local residents in climate change efforts, enhancing international cooperation, and promoting the application of scientific-technological approaches.

Giving feedback on the report, Head of the NA’s Ombudsman Board Nguyen Duc Hien told the working group to examine the regional linkages to address climate change. NA Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu asked for more concrete measures to be put forward.

NA Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan highlighted the need to survey the overall impact of climate change on the region, define long-term and short-term objectives, and clarify domestic and foreign financial resources.

VNA/VNN