Hanoi (VNA) – A project aiming to foster water and environmentsecurity in the Ma and Neun - Ca river basins and related coastal areas inVietnam and Laos was launched in Hanoi on March 12.
The event was co-hosted by the VietnameseMinistry of Natural Resources and Environment’s Department of Water ResourcesManagement (DWRM), the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation(FAO), the Lao Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s Department ofWater Resources and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Speaking at the event, DWRM Deputy Director NgoManh Ha said the Water Resources Law, passed by the 15th NationalAssembly on November 27, 2023 and effective from July 1, 2024, replaces the2012 version, with many provisions designed to improve water source securityand promote cross-border cooperation.
The project perfectly aligns with the VietnameseGovernment’s orientations and vision for sustainable water resourcesdevelopment. Its overall goal is to assist Vietnam and Laos in managingfreshwater resources and ecosystem health in the transboundary basins of the Maand Neun-Ca rivers, as well as related coastal areas, by creating an environmentconducive for cross-border cooperation activities.
Inthavy Akkharath, Director General of the LaoDepartment of Water Resources, said the Vietnamese and Lao Governments will workclosely with the IUCN, FAO and other partners in both countries to address challengesposed by climate change and improve natural resource management in the tworiver basins.
FAO Representative in Vietnam Rémi Nono Womdimsaid the project closely aligns with FAO's 2022-2031 strategic framework,promoting better production, nutrition, environment and overall quality of lifefor communities in Vietnam and Laos.
Scientists, managers and foreign partners also discussed projectactivities at the event./.