Enhancing the capacity for implementing climate change response projects.

(Baonghean.vn) - On the afternoon of October 13th, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Duong - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Nghe An province - chaired a working session with Mr. Mark Fenn - co-director of the Vietnam Forest and Delta Climate Change Response Support Project (VFD Nghe An project) to agree on training on climate change and green growth.

Attending the working session were Comrade Dinh Viet Hong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and representatives from several provincial departments and agencies.

Overview of the working session

Along with Nam Dinh, Long An, and Thanh Hoa, Nghe An has implemented the VFD project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), since February 2014. The goal of this project, with a total investment of US$26 million, is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural and forestry activities, ensure green growth, and address climate change. Specifically, through implementation in the three districts of Que Phong, Ky Son, and Tuong Duong, several results have been achieved in four areas: Regarding sustainable forest management and payment for environmental services, support has been provided to the Tuong Duong Forestry Company and the Pu Hoat Nature Reserve to survey and assess the current state of management, investigate biodiversity, organize workshops, and conduct study tours to learn from experience in exploitation.

Regarding livelihoods adapted to climate change, surveys and assessments of livelihood needs and potential have been conducted, and pilot projects have been implemented to develop socio-economic development plans adapted to climate change. In particular, in-depth research on rice production under climate change conditions has completed field surveys, and a workshop, report, and consultation are scheduled for October 2014.

Climate change awareness campaigns have been conducted at Vinh University and are planned for implementation in Que Phong district. Relevant sectors have also received support in consulting, surveying, and organizing two workshops on water resource management, with particular emphasis on the effective management and exploitation of the Ca River basin.

Finally, the local partner capacity building work has completed the survey and assessment of existing capabilities and capacity building needs. Specifically, Que Phong district has organized training courses to raise social awareness and climate change awareness among residents and officials in several communes.

Mr. Mark Fenn, Co-Director of the Project to Support Climate Change Response in Forests and Deltas of Vietnam, spoke at the working session.

After learning about the project's implementation in Nghe An province, Mr. Mark Fenn expressed his appreciation for the province's cooperative spirit and goodwill. He emphasized the crucial role of local government in project implementation. He agreed with the local government's suggestions and requested the project's support in strengthening training for officials at all levels. According to the plan, USAID will organize two training sessions for Nghe An provincial officials. The first session, for leaders of the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Committee, and leaders and technical staff of various departments, is scheduled to take place before the Lunar New Year. The second session, for each sector and district-level officials, will be held after the Lunar New Year. USAID hopes to support and advise the province in developing a green growth and climate change adaptation plan for the period 2015-2020.

Comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong - Deputy Secretary and Chairman of the People's Committee of Nghe An province - concluded the working session.

Video clip of Comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong's speech at the working session:

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Evaluating the results of the VFD Nghe An project, Comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong stated that protecting, managing, and sustainably exploiting natural resources should be one of the top priorities, especially for a province with a large forest area and an 82km long coastline like Nghe An. Leaders at all levels of government fully agreed with the training program and committed to supporting and coordinating with USAID to ensure the VFD Nghe An project achieves the expected results.

Thuc Anh