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Denmark assists VN in tackling climate change

VGP – Denmark will finance Việt Nam US $40 million to increase the sustainability of the latter’s socio-economic development program and minimize negative impacts of climate change.

September 17, 2008 4:00 PM GMT+7

If sea level rises one meter, 22 millions of Vietnamese people will be displaced – Illustration photo

It is said that Việt Nam is the first recipient of such assistance from Denmark for tackling climate change.

“Việt Nam is one of five most sufferers from the problem. Despite not among big producers of emissions, it is forecasted to face the most severe impacts. Hence, Denmark selects Việt Nam as its partner,” said Mr. Peter Lysholt Hansen, Danish Ambassador to Việt Nam, at the September 16 ceremony to announce the package of aid.

The aid program is comprised of two components, which aim at adapting to climate change and minimizing climate change-caused influences respectively. The program will be conducted for five years, starting from January 2009, in Bến Tre and Quảng Nam Provinces.

The donation was a step to put into reality the Danish Government’s commitment made during Vietnamese Standing Deputy PM Nguyễn Sinh Hùng’s visit to Denmark in early June. Accordingly, Denmark pledged to assist Việt Nam in fulfilling its national program on climate change and energy saving.

Under a research made by the Organization for Economic and Co-operation Development (OECD), if sea level rises one meter, 22 millions of Vietnamese, mostly locating in Central and South Việt Nam will be displaced. Meanwhile, 45% of agricultural land in the Mekong Delta, Việt Nam’s largest granary, will be plunged into sea water.

By Kim Anh