The new project, Reducing Pollution, is a five-year, US$11.3 million effort implemented by USAID partner Winrock International, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE). 

Speaking at the ceremony, USAID/Viet Nam Mission Director Aler Grubbs said that the launch of USAID's Reducing Pollution project is an important part of the collaboration between USAID and MoNRE. 

"Our joint efforts will raise awareness and promote actions led by Vietnamese to reduce environmental pollution and support Viet Nam in achieving its climate change goals", she added. 

The project will bring together different people to collaborate, identify ways to solve a shared problem, and take action. 

The project will demonstrate clear connections between environmental benefits and other social benefits, including public health, employment, and sustainable economic growth. 

To foster Vietnamese leadership in addressing environmental pollution, the project will provide grants to a series of local entities to serve as the "backbone" for each collective impact initiative. 

These backbone organizations will serve as the local leaders for each initiative, including by gaining public support, advancing policy, and leveraging additional funding.

The U.S. and Viet Nam are preparing to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of their Comprehensive Partnership. The USAID Reducing Pollution project is yet another example of how the U.S. and Viet Nam work strategically together to address the world's most pressing issues, like climate. 

In January 2022, USAID and MoNRE formalized their partnership on addressing the complex challenges of climate change and environmental pollution through the signing of their first-ever Memorandum of Understanding.