The draft master plan tabled for discussion is the first regional planning scheme built based on a multi-sectoral integrated approach under the Law on Planning. This is the last consultation conference held on the draft plan before the ministry completes it and submits to the Government for approval.
Addressing the event, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung stressed the importance of the master plan, as it will be the basis for building many other development plans for the region.
In the context of limited State budget resources and great demand for infrastructure, the making of investment decisions should be based on the regional plan and the principle of “No-regret”, the minister said.
In her remarks, the WB Country Director Carolyn Turk noted that the Mekong Delta is vulnerable to climate change and rising sea level. To cope with those trends, it is necessary to build new plans based on difference climate change scenarios for the region and select suitable directions for investment following the principle of “low-regret” and “no regret”, she said.
In the opinion of Nguyen Huu Thien, an expert on Mekong ecology and environment, the Mekong Delta master plan should apply “no-regret” measures which have low risks and side effects, and can be corrected if necessary.
He recommended several priorities for the Mekong Delta, one of which is to transform its agriculture in the direction of reducing quantity and increasing quality and processing as well as value chains. It is also necessary to address sinking, reduce the use of ground water, and restore rivers. He added that non-structural measures should be prioritized.
The three policies, which are Resolution 120/NQ-CP, the 2017 Law on Planning and the Prime Minister’s Decision 593/QD-TTg will bring a golden chance for the Mekong Delta, especially if Resolution 120/NQ-CP is correctly implemented, many problems faced by the delta will be solved, Thien said./.
VNA
