Hanoi (VNA) - The French Development Agency (AFD) said on December 12 that it and the European Union had coordinated with the People's Committee of Ca Mau province to organise a conference to launch a project on construction of the western sea dyke from Cai Doi Vam to Kenh Nam.

The project also includes embankments to prevent coastal erosion in vulnerable sections from Ong Doc river estuary to Bay Hap estuary in the southernmost province of Ca Mau.

The project is expected to be carried out in the 2024 – 2028 period, using an AFD loan worth 19.17 million EUR for infrastructure and 3.76 million EUR in non-refundable aid from the European Union for technical assistance via the Water and Natural Resources Management Fund.

It aims to strengthen the capacity of local authorities in coastal management, and implement measures in climate change adaptation and response. The purpose of the project is to implement structural and non-structural solutions based on the results of scientific research and analysis to prevent coastal erosion, restore mangrove ecosystems and combine natural methods.

According to AFD, the project is being implemented in Ca Mau because this province is in the southernmost part of the Mekong Delta. Therefore, it is directly affected by coastal erosion and climate change such as rising sea levels, floods and saltwater intrusion.

Due to its location, Ca Mau’s coastal area is directly affected by waves, tides and monsoons from both the East and West. In addition, a reduction in sediment due to dam construction in the Mekong River facilitates the acceleration of coastal erosion in the area.

EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier said that Europe considers sustainable development and climate change adaptation two key focuses in its relationship with Vietnam. The EU has supported Vietnam in areas such as water resources management, green growth, energy efficiency, capacity building and low-carbon development.

The project in Ca Mau could be an important pilot in the implementation of carbon credits in Vietnam, contributing to accelerating the application of this useful tool in practice. Thereby, it will make contributions to efforts to protect resources, ensure community benefits and adapt to climate change, said Ambassador Julien Guerrier.

French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet also emphasised that France and Vietnam have been carrying out cooperative activities in line with the Strategic Partnership between the two countries. France's activities through AFD completely align with the above orientation, especially in climate change adaptation and mitigation, thus supporting the Vietnamese Government in implementing international commitments. The integrated coastal management project in Ca Mau province is a typical example of this cooperation.

Hailing Vietnam's strong commitment to working with the international community to respond to and mitigate climate change impacts, Hervé Conan, Director of AFD in Vietnam, affirmed that they will continue to support Vietnam in this field via deploying projects in cities and provinces.

Le Van Su, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau People's Committee, said that the solutions that AFD and the European Union are implementing in the projected area will help ensure the safety of local sea dykes and residential areas. This helps protect aquatic resources, creating opportunities to participate in the carbon credit market, and improving locals’ capacity to respond to natural disasters.

In ꦺparticular, this project supports the diversification of livelihood activities to improve people’s income and reduce dependence on near shore fishing. Overall, the project will help give a face-lift to the province and contribute to the entire region’s sustainable development, said Su./.