Vietnam, WB bolster cooperation on water security and sustainable development

During the meeting,  Dung spoke highly of the World Bank’s role as one of Vietnam’s leading development partners over the past three decades, noting that its support has contributed significantly to the country’s socio-economic development across multiple sectors, including infrastructure, institutional reform, human resource development, green growth and sustainable development.

He noted that World Bank-supported programs and projects in agriculture and environmental protection have delivered practical results, helping improve water resource management, strengthen food security, enhance livelihoods and improve resilience to climate change.

Vietnam is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, particularly in the Mekong Delta and major river basins, he went on.

In this context, ensuring water security is not only an urgent short-term priority but also a long-term strategic task with major implications for food security, social stability, economic development and livelihoods.

Welcoming the World Bank’s “Water for the Future” initiative,  the host said the Vietnamese Government strongly supports the initiative and is ready to work closely with the bank to implement it in Vietnam.

He added that the initiative could serve as a long-term cooperation framework between the two sides in water security, while supporting sustainable development goals and strengthening climate resilience.

The Deputy PM called on the World Bank to continue supporting Vietnam through technical assistance, policy advisory services, international experience sharing and effective governance models in water resource management.

He also urged the bank to help Vietnam access concessional financing from international organizations, particularly World Bank funding, for research and investment programs on water security, reservoir safety, irrigation dam safety and climate adaptation projects.

Saroj Kumar Jha, Global Director for the World Bank Group's Water Department said the bank is working closely with Vietnamese agencies, particularly the Ministry of Finance and other ministries, to develop a new Country Partnership Framework for the next five years.

He noted that Vietnam’s priorities in water security, climate change response and sustainable development are fully in line with the World Bank’s cooperation priorities in the coming period.

According to Jha, the “Water for the Future” initiative and water security programs will be key components of the future cooperation agenda between the World Bank and Vietnam.

He said the bank aims to support Vietnam with financial resources, alongside knowledge, international experience, technical assistance and high-quality advisory services to help resolve development challenges in the next phase.

Jha also welcomed Vietnam’s early participation in the “Water for the Future” initiative, describing it as an important foundation for expanding cooperation and developing concrete action programs consistent with Vietnam’s development priorities.

The World Bank is carrying out multiple investment programs in the Mekong Delta, focusing on urgent challenges such as saltwater intrusion adaptation, livelihood protection and climate resilience.

The bank also hopes to work with Vietnamese agencies to accelerate projects that are largely ready for implementation, helping create new momentum for the region’s sustainable development.

In addition, the World Bank is prepared to work with Vietnam in mobilizing climate finance and other international funding sources for climate adaptation, water security and green development goals, he continued.

Mariam Sherman, WB Division Director for Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, reaffirmed that the bank considers Vietnam a priority partner in the region and will continue supporting the country in achieving sustainable development goals, particularly in climate adaptation and water resource management.

WB, Vietnam promote cooperation initiatives on water, agriculture, environment

VOV.VN - Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha met Mariam J. Sherman, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam on March 27 in Hanoi to advance cooperation initiatives in water resources, agriculture and the environment.