On the afternoon of June 7^th, 2023, three consultation sessions related to the discussed activities were held at DRAGON-Mekong. The organizers were honored to connect experts and advisors from Can Tho University, Bangor University (the United Kingdom), DRAGON-Mekong Institute, Southern Institute of Water Resource Research, Thuy Loi University, and Loc Troi Group to join the discussion with IUCN. A representative of DRAGON-Mekong, Dr. Dinh Diep Anh Tuan, performed a welcome speech.

Dr. Dinh Diep Anh Tuan (DRAGON-Mekong) gave an introduction before the consultant sessions.

The main objective was to introduce three potential projects from IUCN to develop the Mekong Delta Plan of climate change adaptation and sustainable development, including the Sustainable Agriculture Project funded by IKEA, the Mekong Delta Coastal Project funded by USAID, and the Coastal Squeeze Project. This creates opportunities for detailed discussion in the three following consultant sessions. For each consultant meeting, experts discussed many issues around the three introduced projects and contributed ideas to improve the picture of sustainable development in the Mekong Delta.

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phong (IUCN) and other participants discussed to IKEA Project.

Dr. Andrew Wyatt and Dr. Nguyen Duc Tuan (IUCN) co-chaired the discussion session for the UBS project.

Mr. Chu The Cuong and the experts discussed to MDC project.

To contribute to the story of climate change adaptation and sustainable development in the Mekong Delta Plan, two training sessions were held on June 8^th, 2023, with the participation of many teachers, experts, and advisors from many different organizations: the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam Academy for Natural Resources, Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development, DRAGON-Mekong, IUCN, An Giang University, Can Tho University, Thuy Loi University, the Southern Institute of Water Resources Research, and Loc Troi Group. In the beginning, Ms. Bimson Kathryn (IUCN) gave an online presentation highlighting the essential role of natural solutions by applying them to agriculture - forestry - fisheries in the Mekong Delta. Based on current social challenges, Ms. Kathryn has provided assessment criteria for adaptable agriculture models: climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk reduction, socio-economic development, health, security food, clean water, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss. She emphasized, "The final purpose of these solutions is to ensure people's livelihoods and protect the health of the ecological environment and biodiversity in the delta."

Ms. Kathryn and experts in a discussion session on June 8^th, 2023.

At the discussion, Dr. Andrew Wyatt (IUCN) gave a specific presentation on the topic "Flood-based agriculture (FbA) as a natural solution to restore ecosystem functions of floodplains in the upper side of the Mekong Delta." Dr. Wyatt also said it was essential to identify social impediments in the upstream area. Specifically, the current dilemma in the Mekong Delta is the gradual decline in flood resistance and coastal resilience.

During the discussion session, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phong coordinated training on tools for sustainable development in agriculture as a natural solution. Dr. Phong specifically proposed three agricultural models: (1) Agricultural model applying alternating wet and dry farming (AWD); (2) Agricultural model applying integrated pest management (IPM), and (3) Smart agriculture model. Each discussion group will give a specific view of the challenges of these agro-models through particular examples, building on the challenges that Ms. Kathryn highlighted earlier. Some photos were taken at the consultant meeting, coordinated by Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phong.

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phong (IUCN) explained the criteria and how to evaluate.

Groups discussed results after evaluating results.

Groups conducted to evaluate agricultural models.