Development in Mekong Delta: responding and adapting flexibly

Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Nghi spoke at the Conference

According to Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi, as soon as Resolution 120 was issued, the Ministry of Construction urgently directed the completion of the project on Adjustment of Construction Planning in the Mekong Delta to 2030 with a vision to 2050, submitted to and approved by the Prime Minister.

The spatial, urban and rural development orientations in this master plan have integrated the contents of proactive respond and flexible adaptation to climate change, minimizing human interventions. All construction activities from construction planning, urban development and residential areas, infrastructure development are also oriented to be consistent with natural ecosystems, socio-economic development of the region.

Most recently, the Ministry of Construction has submitted to and approved by the Prime Minister a partial adjustment of the water supply planning in the Mekong Delta region to 2030, with a vision to 2050. This is an important basis for implementing inter-water supply projects for people in the region, proactive response to water shortages, droughts and salt water intrusion.

In the coming time, the Ministry of Construction will continue to focus and complete the construction of "Orientation for the development of urban and rural systems in the Mekong Delta", as the basis for the Mekong Delta Region Planning and National urban and rural System Planning period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.

The orientation will form a framework; determining the development model and development pattern of the urban and rural system of the Mekong Delta; organizing the urban and rural technical infrastructure system in the Mekong Delta in the new context; ensuring the establishment of the foundation for sustainable development and climate change adaptation; ensuring the promotion of regional linkage, synchronous and organic connection between urban and rural areas in the Region. Solutions will be proposed to enhance and maximize the potentials, comparative advantages and competitive advantages of the urban and rural system in the Mekong Delta, in which priorities are determined and selected such as key urban and rural development projects, and key infrastructure such as highways, seaports...

The Ministry of Construction and localities in the region have also focused on promoting the implementation of plans through important Programs and Projects.

Urban Upgrading Program in the Mekong Delta region focuses on investment in urban upgrading of 6 provinces in the Mekong Delta with a loan of 296 million USD from World Bank. The project has ended in 2018. At the moment, the project has been negotiating for the 7 remaining provinces.

In the coming time, the Ministry of Construction will continue to dedicate appropriate resources to implementing the tasks assigned in Resolution 120, with a focus on reviewing, adjusting, establishing, and implementing urban and rural planning, climate change adaptation and so on.