In the working session with the People’s Committee of Can Tho city, Mr. Jan Van Der Molen – Strategist on International Cooperation of the Dutch Water Authorities emphasized the importance of water management and wanted to discuss the implementation of the Blue Dragon project on improving the capacity of water source management towards the long-term support of the Dutch Water Authorities to the Mekong River Delta in general and Can Tho city in particular.

He also said that the Authorities had the experience in working with Ho Chi Minh city to implement the project improving the capacity of water source management since 2013. Recognizing the importance of water management in provinces and cities in the Mekong River Delta and especially in Can Tho city, the economic and cultural center of the region, the Authorities wanted to expand the cooperation with Can Tho city to improve the capacity of water source management for local officials. With that, it will help Can Tho city and provinces in the Mekong River Delta enhance the capacity to manage water source effectively in the severe weather condition when the climate has currently changed.  

According to Mr. Tjeerd Dijkstra – Project Manager, the Blue Dragon project will be implemented from 2018 to 2030. Blue Dragon is in the framework of the Blue Deal, an agreement between the Dutch Water Authorities and several Ministries of the Netherlands to join forces in their ambitions to contribute to water challenges worldwide. The implementation of the project gives an opportunity to develop the long- term and effective cooperation between the Dutch and Vietnamese Water Authorities. Accordingly, Can Tho city will be firstly piloted it in the first four years and be the basis for developing the project to other provinces in the Mekong River Delta.

Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Can Tho city Dao Anh Dung appreciated the interest of the Dutch Water Authorities on enhancing the capacity to manage water source for the provinces in the Mekong River Delta and starting this project in Can Tho city. On this occasion, Mr. Dung said that Can Tho would cooperate with the Dutch Water Authorities to implement the Blue Dragon and asked the Dutch Water Authorities for sending the report on the outcomes of the similar project in Ho Chi Minh city for Can Tho to study and make proposal suitable to the characteristics of Can Tho city and the Mekong River Delta. In addition, Mr. Dung requested the departments having the working calendar with the Authorities in the coming days to prepare and arrange the tasks, working places and relevant content to take advantage for the Authorities studying and developing the project.