Vietnam’s natural resources and environment sector will need more investment to raise the country’s capacity in coping with global climate change and natural disasters, said Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai. The deputy PM made the statement at a meeting in Hanoi on Dec 28 to review the sector’s activities in 2010 and set out future plans for 2011. Despite the sector’s achievements in recent years, the sector should do more to overcome restrictions in mechanisms, planning and management of land use, water and natural resources, as well as boost manpower training and technology application, Hai noted. Environmental violations are another mater of special concern that the sector should pay more attention to, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Pham Khoi Nguyen added. The sector and other ministries and agencies have tried their best to deal with negative impacts of the climate change, few positive results have been reported, experts admitted, adding that the country is in need of more supports to effectively deal with the issue. Vietnam proved itself as one of the pioneer countries in coping with climate change in Mexico’s Cancun Summit on Dec 8-10. 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 losses estimated at 10% of GDP. (vovnews.vn Dec 28)
