A seminar on the Vietnam-Laos partnership on investment and environmental protection was held in Nghe An province on August 2.
Participants discussed Vietnam’s green economy strategy, the two countries’ joint efforts toward environmental protection and sustainable development, and integration of climate change into policy making and investment management.
They said that Vietnam and Laos have special environmental ties, such as sharing the Mekong River and Truong Son mountain range. More than half of Vietnam’s investment projects in Laos are focused on energy, agriculture, forestry and mining.
They also pointed out common environmental issues facing the two countries relating to forestry, biodiversity, mineral and water resources, and hydroelectricity.
Delegates agreed that Vietnam and Laos should make a greater effort to protect the environment for sustainable development and coordinate an annual seminar on the preservation of biodiversity along Truong Son mountain range. They will tighten the control of the transport and trade of wild animals and plants across borders, and work on environmental security in the context of excessive use of Mekong River resources.
The seminar was organised by the Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia Association for Economic Cooperation Development (VILACAED) and the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VAVNE).