In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency(VNA), Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet said the PM deliveredimportant, profound messages at the summit, affirming affirmed Vietnam’s strong commitment to the1995 Mekong Agreement, and calling on countries to fully abide by the document as wellas rules relating to the use of the water resources.
The Government leader also emphasised acomprehensive approach which takes people as the centre and the subject in theexploitation and use of the water resources, protects people’s legitimaterights and interests, and improves their adaptability to the river’s changes, along with extreme weather phenomena, floods, droughts andcross-border crimes.
Chinh proposed specific cooperation activities, suchas enhancing data sharing, and joining hands in research, climate changeresponse, sustainable waterway development, cross-border crime combat, thebuilding of green economy and circular economy, electricity connectivity andenergy development.
He also called on partner countries, especially upstreamones and development partners, to cooperate and step up their support in termsof knowledge, experience, finance and resources to the commission, helping itfulfill tasks and ensure sustainable development of the river and its basin.
The threat is further compounded by the extremelynegative impacts of climate change that are causing extreme weather events, floods,droughts and sea level rise, resulting in saltwater intrusion that adverselyaffects the Mekong Delta as well as water and food security in the region.
Viet said many other delegates shared the PM’smessages, adding the participating countries also shared the need to enhance cooperation and set forth common plans and projects toensure sustainable development of the basin./.