As many as 200 domestic and foreign environmental experts, scientists
and managerial officials on April 12 gathered at a forum in southern
Ca Mau province to discuss ways to preserve natural and cultural values
for the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta region.
Themed “Maintaining ecosystem services in the Mekong Delta region”,
the event was held by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
in coordination with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Stockholm
University of Switzerland and the provincial People’s Committee.
At the forum, delegates shared research findings on hydrographic
systems and levels of sediment in the Mekong River and delta,
defined ecosystem services in the delta and their roles in climate
change adaptation, as well as tools and methods to manage ecosystem
services.
Post-discussion outcomes are expected to
raise the community and management officials’ awareness of the
benefits the natural ecosystem creates for people in the region, and
show the importance of maintaining ecosystem services in response to
climate change for the region’s sustainable development.
The forum is part of a project to integrate climate change adaptive
ecosystem-based approaches and preserve biodiversity in Vietnam .
Capital for the project is channelled by the Swedish International
Development Cooperation Agency, the Vietnam Environment Administration
of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and WW.-VNA