On 26 December 2025, within the framework of cooperation between the Mekong Institute, Can Tho University and the University of Southampton (United Kingdom) under the project “Research towards Environmental Sustainability in Mollusc Aquaculture (WAVES)”, a consultation meeting on “Climate Change Adaptation in the Mekong Delta towards Sustainable Agriculture and Integrated Regional Resilience” was held at the Mekong Institute.
The meeting brought together more than 55 participants, including representatives from academic institutions and research institutes, scientists, government agencies and authorities, businesses and cooperatives in the agricultural sector of the Mekong Delta, along with representatives from WWF Viet Nam and the Mekong Institute.
🎯 The consultation aimed to foster scientific and policy dialogue on climate adaptation models suitable to the ecological and economic conditions of the Mekong Delta; introduce innovative technological solutions and update delta planning orientations; strengthen multi-stakeholder connections to promote future cooperation and projects; and develop policy and technical recommendations to be submitted to the People’s Committee of Can Tho City and provincial authorities in the region.
In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Van Pham Dang Tri emphasized that the Mekong Delta is facing long-term challenges such as climate change, degradation of land and water resources, and pressures on livelihood transformation, which require sustainable development solutions and enhanced resilience through the close integration of science, policy, and practice.
👉 The program revolved around key themes, highlighting the interlinkages between climate change, resource management, and agricultural development transformation in the Mekong Delta through the following presentations and solutions:
- The position and potential of sustainable agriculture from the perspective of integrated delta planning - Dr. Dang Kieu Nhan, Mekong Institute, Can Tho University
- Promoting green finance in planning climate-resilient sustainable agriculture practices - Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh, WWF Viet Nam
- Efficient water use in agricultural cultivation in the Mekong Delta - Dr. Ly Trung Nguyen, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, Can Tho University
- Nature-based agricultural farming models adapting to climate change in the Mekong Delta - Dr. Nguyen Thanh Tam, Mekong Institute, Can Tho University
- Climate-resilient seasonal rice in the Mekong Delta – Mr. Le Quoc Viet, Director of the Innovative Farmers Cooperative (IFC)
Alongside the thematic discussions, the program featured an exhibition and interactive space showcasing innovative models, products, and initiatives, including flood warning devices, CTU GreenEng, ABAVINA, Hoa De Agro–Fisheries Cooperative, Loc Hung Cooperative, as well as smart alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation systems and water level monitoring and flood warning systems in Can Tho City.
💬 A group discussion session and plenary policy dialogue was organized under the theme “Creating an enabling environment to engage stakeholders in building a sustainable and integrated agricultural system in the Mekong Delta.” Participants were divided into three discussion groups, each identifying three key enabling conditions, three major challenges, and proposing three priority action-oriented recommendations for the development and implementation of a sustainable and integrated agricultural system in the coming period.
At the closing session, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Van Pham Dang Tri and Mr. Huynh Quoc Tinh reaffirmed that multi-stakeholder collaboration is the key to realizing the shared objectives. The consultation meeting serves as an important foundation for developing policy and technical recommendations, strengthening partnerships, and advancing initiatives with practical and long-term impacts on sustainable agriculture and integrated resilience in the Mekong Delta.