On May 16, 2025, the Department of Water Resources Management under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), held a signing ceremony for the GEF-8 project document titled "Enhancing water security, biodiversity and resilience of livelihoods through integrated water resources management and ecosystem restoration in Viet Nam's Red River basin."
The GEF 8 project is based on an integrated scientific approach and holistic governance while respecting the environmental and cultural characteristics of the Red River basin. The main objective is to restore and protect critical ecosystems while empowering local communities—especially promoting the participation of women and ethnic minorities—in sustainable land and water resource management. The project aims to promote social equity and improve the effectiveness of natural resource protection.
Director General of the Department of Water Resources Management Chau Tran Vinh (left), and Mr. Rémi Nono Womdim, FAO Representative in Vietnam (right), sign the project document. Photo: Phuong Linh. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Chau Tran Vinh, Director General of the Department of Water Resources Management, highly appreciated the collaboration with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), FAO, the International Centre for Environmental Management (ICEM), and other partners in supporting the project. He noted that this marks a significant milestone for unifying implementation directions, ensuring the project's effectiveness, quality, and long-term sustainability while expanding cooperation potential in water resource management.
FAO Representative in Vietnam, Mr. Rémi Nono Womdim, affirmed that GEF 8 reflects the strong partnership between the Government of Vietnam, FAO, and GEF. He emphasized that the project has enhanced institutional coordination and policy alignment among stakeholders, ensuring effective interventions aligned with Vietnam's national priorities and international environmental commitments, ultimately contributing to global environmental benefits.
The Red - Thai Binh River Basin is one of Vietnam's key economic regions, but it faces increasing pressure from economic development, environmental pollution, ecosystem degradation, and imbalanced water use. The GEF 8 project is expected to restore ecosystems, promote integrated water resource management, and support community livelihoods, thereby contributing to the region's sustainable development.
GEF 8 aligns with the vision of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030) and supports Vietnam's implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its international commitments on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification. The Minister of Agriculture and Environment approved the project document under Decision No. 1055/QĐ-BNNMT dated April 23, 2025.