HCMC – The Australian Government has launched four new business partnerships to tackle climate change and improve outcomes for local communities in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, with a total investment of AU$2.5 million.
As part of a series to mark the 50 anniversary of Vietnam-Australia diplomatic relations, the event has been hosted in the Mekong Delta province of Can Tho on November 21.
The partnerships aim to support efforts by the two countries to tackle the challenges of climate change by trialing new models and technologies for climate adaptation, or scale-proven methods while delivering important social, gender equality, and development benefits for Mekong communities.
As per the partnership, the Australian government has joined hands with Hillridge, MSIG Vietnam to weather-proof agriculture through parametric insurance, with Symmetry, Southern Shrimp JSC, Vietnam Sustainable Shrimp Alliance to scale climate-resilient mangrove shrimp farming in the Mekong Delta, with Mekong Conservancy Foundation and Vietnam Housewares Corporation to create sustainable livelihoods through climate-adaptive crops, with New Energy Nexus to create a women’s agribusiness climate adaptation accelerator.
Each partnership requires a co-investment by the partner of an amount that meets or exceeds the Australian Government’s investment.
Australian Consul General Sarah Hooper affirmed Australia’s dedication to the Mekong Delta’s sustainable development, stating, “Australia remains a committed partner for the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta region. The Climate Adaptation Partnerships in the Mekong Delta aim to support efforts by Vietnam and Australia to tackle the challenges of climate change.”
The latest announcement aligns with Austria’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s commitment in August 2023 to allocate AU$94.5 million for climate change adaptation in the Mekong Delta.
