From 25 to 29 September 2017, the 2^nd round of consultations on the draft Green Growth Action Plan for 5 Mekong Delta provinces was successfully held in Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang, Kien Giang and Hau Giang, with the coordination between the Macroeconomic Reform/Green Growth Programme of GIZ, the Department of Science, Education, National Resource and Environment (DSENRE) of MPI and Provincial People’s Committees of the 5 provinces.

The 2^nd consultation workshop series was the result of one-year hard work, close collaboration and active contribution of all the parties. Prior to that, the 1^st consultation workshop series took place during May – July 2017, and based on technical comments and input of the participants from different departments and organizations of the provinces, the draft provincial Green Growth Action Plan (PGGAP) documents have continuously been revised. The PGGAP process reflects strong commitment of the provincial leadership to pursuit green and sustainable development.

Speaking at the workshops, Dr. Michael Krakowski, Programme Director and Chief Technical Advisor of the Macroeconomic Reform/Green Growth Programme, emphasized that the PGGAP documents should create a comprehensive and strategic outlook for green socio-economic development of the provinces for the coming five years and beyond, in the context of increasing requirement for enhancement of regional cooperation and linkages to combat with climate change impact; and be feasible for implementation as well as mainstreaming into the provincial SEDPs.  

Mr. Nguyen Tuan Anh, Deputy Director General of DSENRE, said that based on the PGGAPs supported by GIZ, some of these five provinces will be selected for pilot PGGAP implementation, focusing on energy issues.

The PGGAPs of the 5 provinces are expected to be approved by end October – early November 2017 by their respective PPCs. A final workshop will be held early November 2017 to disseminate the results and exchange lessons learned.