(VOVWORLD) - Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh on Monday had a working session with visiting Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Mark Harbers, who expressed his country’s readiness to assist Vietnam in offshore sand mining, groundwater management, and mineral exploitation.
 BOO Phu Ninh water treatment plant in Quang Nam province (photo: Tran Tinh/ VNA) |
Talking about sustainable groundwater management in the Mekong Delta, Khanh noted that the geographical location has made this region vulnerable to climate change and extreme weather conditions. Given this, the MoNRE hopes to receive assistance and experience from the Netherlands to devise water storage solutions to help solve water excess in the flood season and water scarcity in the dry season there, thus balancing water resources and boost sustainable development in the Delta.
Harbers shared opinions about the cooperation programs on sustainable offshore sand mining, sustainable groundwater management in the Mekong Delta, the exploitation of essential minerals, and activities at the International Panel on Deltas, Coastal Areas and Islands.
These are strengths of the Netherlands, and it is ready to assist and share its policies, experience, techniques, and financial solutions with Vietnam, the minister stressed.
The MoNRE’s Department of Climate Change, Department of Water Resources Management, and Vietnam National Mekong Committee Standing Office will coordinate with the Netherlands to work out proposals for improving the national capacity to make use of water resources amid climate change and give livelihood support to residents in the Delta.