HCMC – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) on June 8 signed a memorandum of understanding to reduce pollution and mitigate climate change in the Mekong Delta and support Vietnam in the transition to clean energy.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, USAID/Vietnam Mission Director Ann Marie Yastishock said, “The United States is committed to cooperating with our global partners to collectively address the climate crisis. We are pleased to cooperate with KOICA to deliver on our shared goal with Vietnam of an environmentally resilient future.”
“KOICA is putting environment and climate action at the center of its development cooperation. I believe that we could be more effective in our efforts to save our planet by working together rather than alone,” said KOICA Country Director Cho Han Deog.
USAID and KOICA will pursue shared development goals, including reducing plastic and other types of pollution and improving solid waste management, enhancing biodiversity, mitigating emissions from the agricultural sector, increasing adaptation strategies of vulnerable populations in the Mekong Delta and accelerating renewable energy development and deployment at the central and urban levels.
USAID has several initiatives focusing on combating climate change and strengthening environmental security and protection in Vietnam. This includes developing clean energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting the natural environment, including forests and threatened species, and engaging with local communities on environmental pollution issues, such as air pollution, waste management, and water conservation.
USAID is currently implementing 11 environment and energy projects in Vietnam, with a total combined value of over US$160 million.
Meanwhile, KOICA has paid much attention to marine plastic pollution, pollution monitoring, and forest conservation and its sustainable management.
