Can Tho and Fulbright University collaborate on natural capital management in the Mekong Delta. (Photo: VNA)

Dr. Vu Thanh Tu An, Director of the project, said that the project is jointly funded by Dragon Capital and Galaxy Studio, covering the whole Mekong Delta region with Can Tho being the central location.

It aims to identify the most serious environmental challenges facing the region, thus analysing and developing solutions based on solid scientific evidence, while organising dialogue with policy-makers, scientists, businesses, people and other stakeholders.

Accordingly, five priorities of the project include agricultural transition, energy, risk management, ecological preservation, and regional connectivity in the Mekong Delta region.

On this foundation, Fulbright University Vietnam will promote regional policy research activities related to the environment, increase the teaching of public policy, and help to foster linkage among localities, he added.

Addressing the working session, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Can Tho Duong Tan Hien briefed the delegation on a number of projects that the city has conducted in the field of environment, natural resources and climate change.

Hien said that transport infrastructure remains the greatest bottleneck in the Mekong Delta region. Can Tho International Airport has operated at just 30 percent of its capacity, while the regional waterway system has allowed the travel of under 5,000-tonne vessels, he noted.

He said that regional localities are working to broaden Dinh An- Can Tho canal to handle 30,000-tonne ships, while developing more industrial parks, economic facilities and tourism destinations to draw more investors and visitors.

Hien also pointed to the weakness of the Mekong Delta in regional connectivity, especially in production, which needs the support of central agencies.

The official pledged that Can Tho will provide optimal conditions for Fulbright University Vietnam to effectively implement the project, which is expected to help improve public awareness of climate change and the environment in the region, support the management and design of policies, strategies and solutions to adapt to climate change, thus speeding up post-pandemic socio-economic recovery and development in Can Tho and the Mekong Delta region in general.