Vietnam wants to learn from Netherlands’ delta development: NA chief

NA Chairwoman Ngan made the remarks while meeting with Hermen Borst, Director of the Staff of the Delta Programme Commissioner, in The Hague on March 26, as part of her official trip to the European country.

Underscoring the aim of her visit as a strengthening of ties with the Netherlands and its parliament, the top legislator said Vietnam – Netherlands relations have undergone 45 years of fruitful development across many fields, with increasing levels of political trust.

The Chairwoman noted that the two countries signed strategic partnership arrangements on Climate Change Adaptation and Water Management in 2010 and on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in 2014, saying these are effective cooperation models which capitalise on the Netherlands’ strengths and contribute to sustainable growth in Vietnam.

For his part, Hermen Borst said he took part in a conference on sustainable development of the Mekong Delta in response to climate change which was held in Vietnam’s Can Tho city last year.

He said he was impressed with the speech made by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the conference and with the local Government’s issuance of Resolution 120/NQ-CP on the matter in 2017.

Both Vietnam and the Netherlands are affected by climate change, the official said, informing the Vietnamese NA Chairwoman of his country’s experience in the field, particularly its promulgation of the Delta Act and Delta Programme.

The Delta Act constitutes the legal basis for the Delta Fund, which can be used to finance the projects of the Delta Programme. The Delta Commissioner is leading the Delta Programme, which includes research to identify both the climate challenges and potential solutions, and covers the submission of recommendations to parliament for suitable financing.

With such experience, the Netherlands wants to stand side by side with Vietnam in adapting to climate change and protecting water resources, he said.

Expressing her delight at the Dutch official’s sharing, NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said it would be valuable knowledge for Vietnam along its path to sustainably develop the Mekong Delta.