Can Tho, 7-8 July 2022 | A UCLG ASPAC active member Association Cities of Vietnam (ACVN) successfully conducted a National Workshop on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation under the framework of the GCoM Asia Project funded by the European Union. The workshop was attended by 43 participants from 16 Vietnamese cities and towns in Can Tho City, Vietnam. The organisation of the hybrid workshop was supported by UCLG ASPAC as the host of the Secretariat of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy Southeast Asia (GCoM SEA).
In the opening session, Mrs. Asih Budiati (GCoM Asia Project Team Leader), Dr. Ngo Trung Hai (General Secretary of ACVN), and Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi (Secretary-General of UCLG ASPAC/GCoM Southeast Asia) delivered their remarks. The workshop was officially opened by the representative from Can Tho as the host city, Mr. Duong Tan Hien (Vice Chairman of Can Tho City People Committee). In the spirit of dealing with climate change impacts, Can Tho also sent 44 delegates to attend and share their insights about climate-related initiatives and practices.
Representing the national government was Mr. Luong Quang Huy (Head Division of GHG Reduction & Ozone Layer Protection, Department of Climate Change, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment). He attended in person to deliver a keynote speech on the regulatory framework and roadmap for the achievement of Vietnam’s Nationally-Determined Contribution (NDC) and 2050 net-zero target.
The European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) experts were also present to introduce the climate change mitigation and adaptation tools, they were Mrs. Giulia Melica and Mr. Aldo Treville. From the GCoM Global Secretariat, Mr. Benjamin Jance showcased Data Portal for Cities designed by the GCoM and other partners.
The workshop participants also got to learn from the European cities: Stuttgart, Germany and Rome, Italy. Dr. Christoph Hemberger (Senior Planner Verband Region Stuttgart, Germany) shared the Stuttgart Region’s Climate Strategy, which is a document that covers both mitigation and adaptation actions. Particularly, flying all the way from Italy, Dr. Gianluca Fabbri presented the mitigation and adaptation practices of the Rome Metropolitan Area and the Colleferro-Latina Functional Area. By the end of the training, Mr. Piero Remitti (Co-Managing Director of GCoM Global) delivered closing remarks.
On the second day, the participants visited some sites that showcase the practices of climate adaptation: Phong Dien Embankment Project and My Khanh Greenery and Leisure Park. Mr. Pham Truong Yen (Vice Director, Can Tho City Department of Agricultural and Rural Development) introduced the Phong Dien Embankment Project, which is aimed to prevent high tides and floods from upstream in flood season, ensuring safety for the community in daily life and ground transportation, as well as city beautification.
During the visit to My Khanh Greenery and Leisure Park, the participants were guided by Mrs. Duong Thanh Van (Expert, Can Tho City Department of Natural Resources and Environment). The park consists of a diversity of animals and plants which are being protected and taken care of. This is also a way for the city to raise public awareness on protecting biological diversity through training and leisure activities; as well as protecting tropical plants and animals in river climate patterns.
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Written by: Thao Nguyen
Reviewed by: Rona Ikram Putri
