Can Tho asks for Canada’s support in climate change response
The Delta city of Can Tho wants to cooperate with Canada in water management through the establishment of a research institute and human resources training in the field.
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Can Tho and the Mekong Delta region as a whole are facing challenges from climate change, including groundwater exhaustion and saltwater intrusion.
According to a scenario to 2100, the sea level will rise 76-82cm if the temperature increases 2-3 Celsius decrees, sinking 15,000 sq.m out of the total 40,000 sq.m of the Mekong Delta region.
Meanwhile, 35 percent of the region’s population are forecast to be affected directly, not mentioning a large number to be impacted indirectly. The economy, especially agriculture, will seriously decline.
Stephan Dion said his country is willing to share experience with Can Tho and Vietnam in general in preserving the living environment as air and water pollution, increasing temperature, sea level rise, flood and drought are always global issues.
He said Canada has implemented a number of target programmes on sustainable and environment-friendly economic development, citing the Oceans Act of Canada as a success in the country’s efforts in environment protection.
Earlier on September 5, during a meeting with Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha, the Canadian minister announced that his country will provide 15 million CAD (US$11.6 million) to help Vietnamese small- and medium-sized enterprises with initiatives and technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
