Dragon Mekong Institute - Roundtable discussion on "Promoting stakeholder engagement in climate change adaptation towards sustainability of the Lower Mekong Region"

Roundtable discussion on "Promoting stakeholder engagement in climate change adaptation towards sustainability of the Lower Mekong Region"

On March 6, 2024, with successful collaborative effort between CTU and Partners from the United Kingdom and Thailand, the Research Institute for Climate Change (DRAGON-Mekong), CTU, organized a roundtable discussion on "Promoting stakeholder engagement in climate change adaptation towards sustainability of the Lower Mekong Region" within the framework of the Mekong Media Field Trip 2024. This program gathered journalists and communicators from Thailand and Vietnam, marking a significant initiative in advancing dialogue and action concerning climate change adaptation in the region.

Overview of the roundtable discussion

Presenting the UK government in the roundtable discussion, Mr. Mark George, Climate Counselor, British Embassy in Vietnam; Mr. Benjamin Siritantitham, Head of Communications, British Embassy in Thailand. The representatives of ministries are Dr. Nguyen Hoang Linh, Director of the Department of Technology Assessment, Appraisal and Inspection, Ministry of Science and Technology; Dr. Nguyen Hoang Nam, Policy Consultant, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Ms. Pham Tuan Hong Hanh, European Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On the side of CTU, Prof. Dr. Tran Ngoc Hai, Vice Rector; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Van Pham Dang Tri, Director of DRAGON-Mekong Institute, chaired the roundtable discussion.

In the opening speech, Prof. Dr. Tran Ngoc Hai extended a warm welcome to esteemed guests, speakers, and delegates in attendance. He highlighted the shared natural and ecological characteristics between Thailand and Vietnam, underscored by the pivotal role of the Mekong River in socio-economic development of the riparian countries, particularly Thailand and Vietnam. As such, the DRAGON-Mekong Institute, CTU collaborated with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (UK FCDO) to convene the roundtable discussion. The objective was to foster an environment where stakeholders can enhance climate understanding and awareness to address common climate-induced challenges in the Lower Mekong region.

Prof. Dr. Tran Ngoc Hai, Vice Rector, CTU delivered the opening speech

In his speech, Mr. Mark George, Climate Counselor of the British Embassy in Vietnam, emphasized the fact that Vietnam is one of the world's most vulnerable countries to climate change. He expressed the expectation that this roundtable discussion would provide participants with better understanding of the immediate and long-term consequences of climate change. - He underscored the need for joint efforts and mutual assistance to alleviate the detrimental effects of climate change and steer Vietnam towards a sustainable future.

Mr. Mark George, Climate Counselor, British Embassy in Vietnam spoke at the roundtable discussion

The roundtable discussion continued with 5 reports at the plenary session:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Van Pham Dang Tri presented the report "Mekong Media Field Trip: Mekong River Transboundary Sustainable Development through International Exchange and Learning Programme – A review"

Dr. Nguyen Hoang Nam, Policy Consultant of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, reported on "Orientations and key actions of Vietnam in dealing with climate change and transboundary development issues"

Dr. Nguyen Hoang Linh, Director of the Department of Technology Assessment, Appraisal and Inspection, Ministry of Science and Technology presented the report "Vietnam's key orientations and actions in addressing climate change and transboundary development issues"

Mr. Mark George, Climate Counselor, British Embassy in Vietnam presented the report "UK-Vietnam joint efforts on climate change"

Prof.Dr. Andy Large, Director of Living Deltas Hub from Newcastle University presented the report “Living Deltas: A climate change adaptation effort to conserve the Lower Mekong Region”