Vietnam - Netherlands Collaborate on Sustainable Solutions for Aquaculture
	WVIV And Australia Help Mekong Farmers Adapt To Climate Change

From now until March 2029, across the communes of Muong Chanh and Muoi Noi in Son La province, the project provides solutions to enhance climate resilience for highland communities—specifically ethnic minority women, youth, and people with disabilities, contributing to the stability and shared prosperity of the Mekong sub-region.​​​​​

“MekongElevate: Green and Sustainable Adaptation for Ethnic Minorities” launch event was organized by CARE in Vietnam in coordination with the Son La Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Photo: CARE in Vietnam).

​​Funded by the Australian Government through the Mekong-Australia Partnership (MAP), it is a collaborative effort between CARE and local partners to honor the spirit of regional cooperation through inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Speaking at the launch, Alice Clare Hawkins, Second Secretary for Development Cooperation at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, noted that the Mekong-Australia Partnership supports local solutions to address regional challenges. She emphasized that Australia is proud to partner with Vietnam to foster a more inclusive Mekong sub-region. The project addresses mutual priorities in climate resilience and gender equality, investing in people by equipping them with the skills to lead and proactively navigate the green transition.

Throughout its implementation, the project focuses on supporting ethnic minority women, youth, and people with disabilities within the coffee industry. Key activities include promoting climate-smart agricultural (CSA) practices and other innovations to improve livelihood efficiency.

MekongElevate is a collaborative effort between CARE and local partners to honor the spirit of regional cooperation through inclusive growth and sustainable development (Photo: CARE in Vietnam).

Simultaneously, a core objective is enhancing access to social security and reconstruction support, helping communities stabilize their lives and overcome inevitable losses from extreme weather. Notably, the initiative prioritizes elevating the status and leadership roles of local women and youth in climate-related decision-making.

On the other hand, Vice Chairman of the Son La People's Committee, Nguyen Thanh Cong, stated that as Vietnam’s key Arabica coffee region with over 32,000 hectares, Son La faces major hurdles from harsh climate change and strict international sustainability standards. Consequently, the province is aggressively promoting replanting with resilient varieties, applying deep-processing technologies, and transitioning to green, low-emission production models. These efforts aim to enhance competitive value while securing long-term livelihoods for the local population.

As extreme climate impacts threaten food security in the Mekong sub-region, MekongElevate is strategically deployed to build resilient and self-reliant communities. The project promotes Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) through sustainable farming techniques and innovation to safeguard long-term welfare. Parallel to strengthening social security and disaster risk mechanisms, the project emphasizes equality and inclusion. It is committed to boosting the voices and leadership of ethnic minority women and youth, ensuring they become key actors in climate governance and decision-making from the local to the regional level.

“At CARE, we believe sustainable climate solutions depend on who has the opportunity to participate,” shared Vuong Thai Nga, Program Director at CARE in Vietnam. She noted that women, youth, and people with disabilities often face barriers to economic opportunities and disaster preparedness. Through MekongElevate, CARE partners with the community to minimize these hurdles, enhancing practical skills and resource access to ensure the green transition remains inclusive and leaves no one behind.

"Vietnamese & American Sons and Daughters Meeting": Healing War Wounds and Deepening Vietnam-US People-to-People Bonds On December 1 in Hanoi, the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, the Vietnam-USA Society, and the “Two Sides Project” (2SP/USA) held a meeting between ...

Joint Project Launched to Improve Road Safety for Child, Adolescent The World Health Organization (WHO) Vietnam Office and the Asia Injury Prevention (AIP) Foundation, together with 15 partners, on October 14 have launched the Vietnam ...