The governments of Vietnam and Mexico will boost cooperation in the fields of natural resources management and environmental protection, the state-run Vietnam News Agency said late Dec 9. The information was released at a meeting between Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha and his Mexican counterpart, Fernando Tudela, on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference held in Mexico’s southeastern city of Cancun on Dec 8. The two sides’ cooperation will focus on the management and planning of land use, water resources, afforestation and forest preservation as well as environmental protection. Both deputy ministers highlighted similarities and the potential for cooperation on the issues between Vietnam and Mexico. The cooperation is expected to contribute to international efforts to protect the environment and mitigate the impacts of global climate change, the two deputy ministers said. The Vietnamese government is calling on the international community to support it to cope with climate change that is showing clear signs across the country. Vietnam is listed among five hardest-hit countries by climate change. If sea level rises one meter, 5% of Vietnam’s land, 11% of its population and 7% of its agricultural land would be affected with the loss estimated at 10% of GDP. (vietnamplus.vn Dec 9, vovnews.vn Dec 9)
