Stakeholders’ engagement and actions towards Lower Mekong Region’s sustainability

On December 6, 2024, at the Learning Resource Center, Can Tho University, stakeholders’ engagement and actions towards Lower Mekong Region’s sustainability officially took place. The event attracted over 400 delegates participating both in person and online via the Zoom platform.

The meeting was organized by the DRAGON-Mekong Institute, the British Embassy, and the British Council in Vietnam, with the participation of representatives from various ministries, international experts, youth, organizations from the Lower Mekong region, including Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and the United Kingdom,  agencies, unions, and organizational networks in the Mekong Delta region.

Overview the event

With the primary goal of creating a platform for stakeholders to exchange, discuss, and propose concrete pathways to promote sustainable development in the Lower Mekong region, the meeting focused on the challenges and opportunities for the region's sustainable development, with particular attention to climate change and environmental restoration and protection initiatives.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Le Van Lam, Vice Rector of Can Tho University, emphasized the crucial role of the education system in training human resources and inspiring action among the youth. Addressing the challenges of climate change, the Vice Rector highlighted that this is not only a domestic issue for Vietnam but also a transboundary concern requiring comprehensive collaboration among nations and organizations. Dr. Le Van Lam also expressed gratitude to the British Council, the British Embassy, and international cooperating organizations for their contributions to fostering academic exchange, sharing experiences, and enhancing the region's capacity to respond to climate change.

Dr. Le Van Lam giving his welcome speech

At the event, Mr. Will Lawrenson, Deputy Consul General of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Vietnam, highlighted the pivotal role of the Chevening Scholarship in meaningful activities such as capacity building and developing young leaders. Through research projects, the scholarship supports efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change on communities, particularly in vulnerable areas such as the Mekong Delta and the Lower Mekong region. Mr. Will Lawrenson expressed his delight that Chevening scholars from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand represented the spirit of collaboration and commitment to addressing global climate challenges at the program.

Mr. Will Lawrenson speaking at the meeting

Mr. James Shipton, Country Director of the British Council in Vietnam, emphasized that one of the British Council's top priorities is mitigating the impacts of and adapting to climate change. Currently operating in over 100 countries, the organization positively impacts more than 600 million people worldwide. In the framework of collaboration with Can Tho University, Mr. Shipton stated that efforts would focus on reducing the impacts of climate change and enhancing community resilience. This will be achieved by empowering youth, enabling them to take action and drive positive change in the Mekong Delta region.

Mr. James Shipton's Speech on commitment to climate change mitigation and youth empowerment in the Mekong delta

The meeting was divided into two main sessions. During the morning session, delegates participated in thematic discussions on the challenges and opportunities for sustainable development in the Lower Mekong region, focusing on developing strategies to address climate change. Additionally, youth representatives delivered presentations on the topic: Orientations and key actions in dealing with climate change and transboundary issues in the Lower Mekong Region. The session also featured an exhibition of initiatives showcasing innovative projects and exemplary models led by youth communities. These projects highlighted creative solutions in the field of climate change, contributing to the protection and sustainable development of the Mekong River.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Van Pham Dang Tri reported on “Transboundary development in the Lower Mekong Region: Key challenges and opportunities”

Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Bich's presentation on "Visioning the sustainable development of the Lower Mekong Region: Strategies and actions of the UK"

Youth representatives discuss: "Orientations and key actions in dealing with climate change and transboundary issues in the Lower Mekong Region"

Youth initiatives presented at the showcasing session

In the afternoon session, delegates participated in parallel break-out discussion sessions on four main topics: sustainable livelihoods; water security; just energy transition, greenhouse gas emissions and net-zero emissions; community-based and gender equality in climate change adaptation. After the group discussions, key opinions, contributions, and proposed actions were compiled and shared with all delegates, leading to the formulation of important action strategies for each topic.

The delegates participated in group discussions

The consultation meeting concluded with valuable insights and specific strategic action directions for each discussion topic. The delegates agreed that building sustainable development models in the Lower Mekong Region requires not only the involvement of government agencies but also strong contributions from communities, organizations, and especially youth. The action strategies also emphasized the urgency of strengthening international cooperation and creating an enabling environment for innovative initiatives.

Group photo

As part of the program, on the morning of December 7, delegates, including experts and youth representatives from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and the United Kingdom, took part in a field trip along the Hau River. They visited the Cai Rang Floating Market to learn about the unique cultural activities on the river, and toured Con Son Island to gain a deeper understanding of community-based ecotourism and the cultural and natural conservation under climate change impacts.

The trip was an exciting exploration, providing valuable on-the-ground insights for the delegates to consider and evaluate. It was an important part of the foundation for proposing recommendations and collaborations among stakeholders after the program, aiming to promote creative and practical solutions for the sustainable development of the Lower Mekong Region.

Some photos from the field trip: