CCWG Summary Report

SUMMARY REPORT OF THE FIRST MEETING
OF US-VIETNAM WORKING GROUP
ON CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION

March 31 – April 1, 2010

Hanoi, Vietnam

Introduction

The First Meeting of the US-Vietnam Working Group on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation was held on March 31 and April 1, 2010 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The Meeting was attended by scientists and guests from the US, and scientists, officials from ministries, agencies and universities in Vietnam. The list of delegates is in Annex 1.

1. First working day

1.1. Opening Ceremony

Mr. Michael Michalak, US Ambassador to Vietnam, delivered opening remarks, highlighting the importance of the Meeting as a landmark for boosting co-operation between the US and Vietnam in climate change, as agreed by US President George Bush and Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in 2008, as in Annex 2.

Dr. Tran Thuc, Director General of the Vietnam Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Environment, on behalf of Mr. Nguyen Van Duc, Permanent Vice Minister of Natural Resources, welcomed participants from the US and Vietnam to the Meeting. On behalf of the MONRE leader, Dr. Thuc said that he hoped after hard-working days in Hanoi, the US-Vietnam Working Group on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation would further contribute to Vietnam’s efforts to adapt to and mitigate climate change, as in Annex 3.

1.2. Adoption of Agenda

The Meeting adopted the Agenda as in Annex 4.

1.3. Business arrangements

The Meeting was held in plenary.

1.4. Introduction of Working Group on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

The Meeting noted the Co-chairs’ presentation on the Working Group’s Charter and key issues to be discussed at this Meeting, including goals, structures and programs, as in Annex 5.

1.5. Presentations

The Meeting noted presentations made by the Vietnam and US Parties, including:

- Climate change in Vietnam and responses;

- Current research and development efforts for adapting to rapid climate change: A toolbox for land managers;

- Climate Change Impacts and Opportunities in Vietnam Economy;

- Capacity Building;

- Vulnerability Assessment for Climate Change threats;

- Progress in Implementing Vietnam NTP to Respond to Climate Change;

 - Climate Change and the US Fish and Wildlife Service;

- Responding to Climate Change in Agriculture and Rural Development Sector;

- US National Assessments of Climate Change and its Impacts; and

- Addressing Climate Change in the Mekong River Delta.

2. Second working day: round-table discussion

2.1. Higher education

The Working Group discussed capacity building through higher education co-operation; possible short-term training programs, post-graduate scholarship programs of the US and Vietnam, International Visitors’ and Student Exchange programs; and co-operation in university curriculum development.

The Working Group also discussed mechanisms and ways to disseminate knowledge to local communities to encourage them to get involved in the adaptation to and mitigation of climate change.

2.2. National Climate Change Assessment

The Meeting noted the US Party’s presentation on National Climate Change Assessment co-operation. The U.S. government is planning the third U.S. national assessment of climate change and its impacts, which will likely be published in 2013.  This assessment effort will entail a synthesis of information about climate trends and projections for geographic regions of the USA and an assessment of potential impacts on water, agriculture, transportation, human health, coastal systems.

Vietnam is developing its National Target Program to Respond to Climate Change, and the two countries consider doing a parallel process sharing experiences, scientific knowledge, and ideas along the way.

2.3. Surface elevation table and coastal vulnerability to sea level rise

The US will help Vietnam establish monitoring stations in mangrove forests of the Red River delta.  The purpose of these stations is to determine the vulnerability of the mangrove ecosystem to forecasted acceleration in sea-level rise. The US will deploy two field measurement techniques: the rod surface elevation table (RSET) and artificial soil marker horizons (MH).  The US will train all Vietnamese personnel in the use of these techniques.

The Meeting also discussed understanding different points of view on mangrove, agriculture, coastal economic development.

2.4. Possible MOU between US and Vietnam

In order to boost cooperation between the US and Vietnam on climate change, the Working Group agreed to support a MOU on climate change between Vietnam and the US.

2.5. Establishment of Sub-committees

The Meeting noted Vietnam’s proposal on the establishment of subcommittees under the Working Group as follows:

- The Disaster Risk Reduction Subcommittee (Dr. Nguyen Huu Phuc, Pro. Nguyen Chu Hoi, Dr. Chris Chiesa and Dr. Nathan Sage);

- The Education/Community Engagement Subcommittee (Pro.Dr. Mai Trong Nhuan, Dr. Duong Van Ni and Dr. McElwee);

- The National Assessment Subcommittee (Assoc.Pro.Dr. Tran Thuc, Dr. Tran Hong Thai, Dr. Virginia Burkett, Dr. Mathews, Dr. Paul Chan); and

- The Coastal Vulnerability Assessment Subcommittee (Dr. Vu Thanh Ca, Dr. Duong Hong Son, Dr. Gregory Smith and Dr. Vance Hum).

2.6. Date and Venue of the 2^nd Meeting

The Meeting noted that the US will host the 2^nd Meeting of the Working Group in April, 2011, associated with a US Workshop on the National Assessment.

2.7. Summary Report of the Meeting

The Meeting agreed that the summary report of the Meeting will be adopted by the Co-chairs.

3. Third Working Day: Field trip

Some US participants joined a field trip to Trang An, Ninh Binh province, Vietnam, on April 2.  

Acknowledgement

The participants from US and Vietnam expressed their sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Vietnam and the Vietnam Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Environment for the warm hospitality accorded to them and the excellent arrangements made for the Meeting.