Congratulations to Ms. Aler Grubbs on becoming the new Mission Director of the United States Development Agency in Viet Nam for the term 2022-2026, the Deputy Minister hopes that in this term, with her guidance and direction, the cooperation between USAID and the Vietnamese agencies, including the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), will make many important steps, contributing to enhancing and promoting the partnership between Viet Nam and the United States.

          On this occasion, the Deputy Minister affirmed that MONRE always attaches great importance to and appreciates USAID's role as a very important development partner. Over the past time, USAID has devoted a lot of support to MONRE in the field of environment protection.

          In January 2022, MONRE and USAID signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation on air quality management; integrated water resource management and water security; conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity; ocean plastic, solid waste management and recycling; and reduction of emissions responsible for climate change. The signing of this MOU marks a special development in the cooperation relationship between the two sides, and at the same time opens up new cooperation opportunities to contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement on climate change and the cause of environmental protection.

          After signing the MOU, the two sides concretized its content and achieved some specific results. Currently, the two sides are implementing the "Reducing Pollution" project. This is a five-year project implemented by USAID partner Winrock International, a non-profit organization, in collaboration with the Pollution Control Department under MONRE. The project supports locally-driven initiatives that substantially reduce environmental pollution in Viet Nam through a collective impact approach.

          In addition, MONRE and USAID developed a project proposal "Viet Nam Action Against Plastic Pollution". This project is expected to be implemented by the Pollution Control Department under MONRE and USAID partner Chemonics International Inc. The project supports Viet Nam's commitment to reducing plastic pollution at its source, improving solid waste management, implementing single-use plastic reduction models, and supporting collective action.

          Moreover, through its Center for Environmental and Community Research (CECR), USAID is currently working with and assisting the Department of Water Resources Management under MONRE in strengthening its policy framework for water security and management, specifically supporting amending the Law on Water Resources 2012.

          Recognizing the result of this cooperation, Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh hoped that in the coming time, under the direction of Ms. Aler Grubbs, the cooperation fields and activities between MONRE and USAID would be increasingly expanded, especially in the implementation of the results of COP26 and in the field of environmental protection.

          Specifically, the Deputy Minister proposed that USAID study a multilateral cooperation mechanism to help Viet Nam solve the problem of ocean plastic waste; improve cooperation on basic geological surveys, geological hazards; strengthen cooperation on biodiversity conservation and landscape protection in the Mekong Delta region.

          On this occasion, the Deputy Minister also thanked the United States for its support to the International Mekong River Commission through supporting the monitoring of water use in the Mekong River Basin. Meanwhile, with its location downstream of the basin, Viet Nam is very interested in this issue.

         Along with the issue of water use, Viet Nam is also making efforts to fulfill its commitments at COP 26, and the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) is a mark for the companionship of the countries for Viet Nam in implementing this commitment. Recently, the Government of Viet Nam approved the Eighth National Power Development Plan (PDP-8), with new targets for renewable energy development. Based on such a basis, the Deputy Minister proposed that USAID support Viet Nam in just energy transition. At the same time, the Deputy Minister hoped that the two sides would find initiatives to change energy policies in the Mekong region, from reducing investment in hydroelectric projects, focusing on shifting to promoting renewable energy sources such as wind power, solar power.

          Agreeing with the opinion of Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh, Ms. Aler Grubbs said that USAID is very interested in the implementation of JETP in Viet Nam. The United States also has programs and projects to support Viet Nam in implementing JETP successfully. "We are also very interested in Viet Nam's implementation of the Eighth National Power Development Plan (PDP-8). How does Viet Nam achieve the targets in the master plan and the strong commitments it has made, while still ensuring economic development? Going forward, USAID can assist Viet Nam in this process," said Ms. Aler Grubbs.

            The Director of USAID in Viet Nam said she will also work together to come up with ideas and initiatives to help the Mekong region ensure water security and sustainable development.