On May 17th, 2023, the British Embassy delegation in Vietnam and the British Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) visited and worked with DRAGON-Mekong Institute, Can Tho University. The purpose of the trip is to discuss the impacts of climate change on the main ecosystems and farming systems of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta, thereby sharing international solutions and experiences towards the sustainable development of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta. The Delegation included 19 members who are officials working at central agencies such as the Government Office, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, etc. of 12 countries, managed by British Navy Rear Admiral Richard Anthony Murrison, and Colonel Tim O'Brien, British Defense Attaché to Vietnam. On the side of Can Tho University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Van Pham Dang Tri, Director of DRAGON-Mekong Institute, represented the university to welcome the Delegation.
The Delegation took photos with the DRAGON-Mekong Institute
The discussion was conducted openly with 02 memoirs and 01 general discussion session. In part 1, information related to the role and participation of youth in supporting the community to respond to the impacts of climate change at the warehouse (Y-CoRe program) was presented by Dr. Phan Kieu Diem and MSc. Phan Ky Trung, 02 moderators of the program. In part 2, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Van Pham Dang Tri shared in detail about the impacts of climate change that had happened in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta, the challenges, advantages, lessons and solutions to strengthen tolerance and sustainability of the delta.
MSc. Phan Ky Trung, Program Coordinator of Y-CoRe, presented about the formation of DRAGON-Mekong Institute's youth network towards sustainable development in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta
Dr. Phan Kieu Diem, Program Coordinator of Y-CoRe project, presented on the development of the youth network of DRAGON-Mekong Institute through the program "Improving Youth Resilience to the Impacts of Climate Change in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta” (Y-CoRe)
Assoc.Prof.Dr. Van Pham Dang Tri, Director of the DRAGON-Mekong Institute, presented on “Challenges and solutions towards sustainable development in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta under the impact of climate change”
After the presentation , the Delegates had an in-depth discussion with the speakers, with a focus on national and regional orientations in climate change adaptation, role of stakeholders, especially scientists, managers, affected communities and young people in maintaining the sustainability of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta. The Delegation affirmed the importance of the DRAGON-Mekong Institute in international efforts to respond to challenges from the complex impacts of climate change, as well as its strategic role in connecting with partners In the world.
Delegates attended the panel discussion besides the main session in the morning
On May 17th, 2023, DRAGON-Mekong Institute also accompanied the Delegation to visit and work at Thuan Thien Agricultural Community, Abavina in Phong Dien District, Can Tho City, to listen to inspirational stories inspired by the those who founded and developed the organic farming model with close connection with the local farmer community. The Delegation also visited the model of fish-raft farming combined with eco-friendly community ecotourism at Bay Bon Fish Raft, known as "freshwater fish library" or "freshwater fish museum" in the nature of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta, at Con Son, Can Tho City.
Sharing from Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Thoa - CEO of Abavina about the development process and mission of Abavina
Delegates visited the orchard in Abavina
Inside the "freshwater fish museum" in Con Son
The delegation visited the fish farming areas outside at Bay Bon Fish Raft