In 2023, international cooperation in water resources management has been vigorously implemented. Water resources management units have closely deployed their functions, tasks, and regulations on global integration and multilateral diplomacy to complete assigned tasks, successfully promoting international cooperation in management and using water resources sustainably and effectively.
Implement several international cooperation projects
According to Mr. Chau Tran Vinh, Director General of the Department of Water Resources Management, since the beginning of 2023, the amending of the Water Resources Law has received active support from international partners with water resource management experience. To strengthen the legal framework on water resources, the Department of Water Resources Management has promoted bilateral and multilateral cooperation and increased the exchange and sharing of international water resource management experiences with other developed partners. In particular, focusing on building the Law on Water Resources, which was approved at the 6th plenary session of the 15th National Assembly on November 27, 2023.
As the Head of the ASEAN Working Group on Water Resources Management in Viet Nam, the Department has also actively participated in ASEAN cooperation activities on water resources, such as participating in conferences and seminars and contributing professional opinions to the group. Cooperation and experience exchange with developed partners such as the World Bank, Australia, the Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Korea, and Japan have been implemented effectively and actively.
In addition, units in water resources are also actively expanding their networks with new partners such as USAID, UNESCO, OECD, UNICEF, KOICA, FAO, and Deltares of the Netherlands... to open new related projects to transboundary water sources; organize VACI 2023 Workshop to respond to World Water Day 2023 and workshops related to international partners; At the same time, coordinate with international partners to amend Articles and Clauses related to water resources protection and management in the Law on Water Resources.
On the other hand, the units also continue to play a responsible and effective role as national focal points at international agencies, organizations, and multilateral mechanisms; constantly consolidating and exploiting relationships with bilateral partners based on signed cooperation agreements and areas in which partners have strengths; Actively seek and expand relationships with new partners with potential and experience in water resources management, and at the same time have interests in supporting development, management, sustainable use and exploitation of water resources, such as France, Australia, United States, Italy, Japan, Korea,...
In 2023, the Department of Water Resources Management successfully mobilized and submitted for approval 02 projects funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and at the same time, GEF approved funding to implement 01 project in the cycle GEF-8; The National Center for Water Resources Planning and Investigation has opened a new technical cooperation project using non-refundable ODA capital from the German Government, "Sustainable management of underground water resources, associated with geological - hydrogeological conditions in the Mekong Delta and coastal areas of Viet Nam to adapt to climate change" period (2022 - 2025) …
International cooperation for sustainable development of the Mekong River basin
Cooperation for sustainable development of the Mekong river basin
Within the cooperation framework with the International Mekong River Commission, in 2023, the Standing Office of the Viet Nam Mekong River Commission has helped the Minister prepare content for the Prime Minister and Ministry leaders to attend the 4th High-Level International Mekong River Commission (MRC) Summit; Actively participate in building the Conference's Joint Declaration, especially the commitments of senior leaders to increase the sharing of data and information and strengthen the coordination and operation of water exploitation and use projects in the basin.
At this Conference, Viet Nam proposed many initiatives, including proposals to increase the frequency of Summits, establish a monitoring system, and monitor the exploitation and use of water resources in the river basin based on digital technology, sharing real-time operating data of water-using projects.
Along with that, the Office also prepared content for the Ministry's leaders to attend the 30th annual meeting of the MRC Council held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, contributing to the successful fulfillment of its role as Chairman of the MRC Joint Committee Members for 2023.
The Office has also coordinated with member countries and the International Mekong River Commission Secretariat to upgrade the Mekong River monitoring network, including expanding monitoring stations on hydrometeorological, silt and sand, fisheries, aquatic ecosystems, and water quality, monitoring of water resources and environment. Improve the quality of natural disaster forecasting and warning services to provide timely information to riverine countries; Strengthen cooperation with China and Myanmar in sharing information and data and conducting joint studies between the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation mechanism and the International Mekong River Commission Cooperation.
As a focal point for Mekong-Lancang cooperation, international cooperation in water resources has recently contributed positively to the assessment of the results of the implementation of the 5-year plan for collaboration on water resources for the period 2018-2022, and complete the construction of the 5-year Action Plan for Mekong-Lancang water resources cooperation for the period 2023-2027, organize the implementation of Joint Research between the International Mekong River Commission and China on changes in hydrological conditions in the Mekong - Lancang River basin and adaptation strategies, establishing the Mekong - Lancang Water Resources Cooperation Information Sharing Mechanism.