The forum was organized via videoconference on 7th December. Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), Trần Hồng Hà, stated that the Mekong-Lancang River basin is facing growing challenges of natural resources exhaustion (especially water resources), environmental degradation, and biodiversity losses. He mentioned that joint and timely actions are needed to overcome these challenges and conserve the common prosperity and culture. More specifically, it requires an overall and sustainable development for the whole region and enhancement of partnerships between governments and relevant stakeholders. Additionally, policies and actions on water resources management should comply with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030 and the new commitments at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26). In this sense, Vietnam commits to cooperate with other member countries for the development of the Mekong-Lancang River basin.
Sources & further information: “Joint action crucial for Mekong-Lancang river countries to overcome challenges: Vietnamese Minister” at https://vietnamnews.vn and “Việt Nam cam kết hợp tác vì sự phát triển của sông Mekong-Lan Thương” at https://www.vietnamplus.vn, accessed on 10 December 2021.