Leigh McCumber, Deputy Ambassador of Canada to Vietnam and head of the delegation, said that the four countries have been long-term development partners of Vietnam, with their collaboration lasting for 23 years to date. The purpose of their visit to Can Tho City is to collect information about water-related issues in the Mekong River, erosion, the impact of climate change on the labor market, migration, and the city's current needs for support and cooperation. On behalf of the delegation, the diplomat requested that Can Tho leaders share the city's response measures addressing the consequences of climate change and successful local models.

Moreover, embassies discussed issues of the four nations' interests with Can Tho authorities at the meeting, such as the one-million-hectare high-quality, low-emission rice project freshly launched in the Mekong Delta and livelihood issues involving local people affected by climate change.

Can Tho authorities worked with the G4 ambassadors on April 17

Vice Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee Nguyen Ngoc He said Can Tho City is the hub of the Mekong Delta with natural blessings, fertile land, a temperate climate, and abundant source of rice, fruit, and seafood. The city also has a favorable geographical location, being only 80km away from the East Sea, which makes it relatively more favorable in terms of freshwater resources when compared to some other localities in the region. However, with the increasingly evident influence of climate change, the city remains vigilant and not subjective in responding to the challenges posed by natural disasters. These include riverbank erosion, urban flooding, tornadoes, drought, water shortage, saltwater intrusion, as well as human-related disasters.

Vice Chairman Nguyen Ngoc He said the city has proposed several key solutions to face the complicated developments of climate change. These solutions include raising community awareness, deploying structural and non-structural solutions, and investing in irrigation, waterway, and road transport infrastructure. The city has also implemented solutions to protect the core area by pumping water, regulating water, and operating the anti-flooding system effectively to solve the problem of urban flooding. For rural areas, the city has a long-term strategic plan to convert crop production and shift the structure of crops and livestock to suit the characteristics of the weather.

Can Tho leaders and G4 ambassadors at the meeting

Vice Chairman Nguyen Ngoc He has mentioned that not only Can Tho City, but many other localities in the region, have proposed to the central government the necessity of international cooperation in protecting water sources and preventing saltwater intrusion. This is a crucial step towards responding and adapting to climate change effectively.

The official said Can Tho city lacks practical experience in dealing with the complex and unpredictable developments of climate change. Therefore, the city wants to receive support from these nations in various matters such as enhancing community awareness of climate change, adaptation solutions, natural-based approaches, livelihoods, methane emission and plastic waste reduction, water conservation, and riverbank erosion prevention.

Deputy Ambassador of Canada to Vietnam Leigh McCumber expressed her agreement with the local perspective on climate change's complex and multi-layered nature as a global issue. She stated that the areas in which Can Tho wants to collaborate align well with the interests and ongoing programs of the four nations concerning better community awareness on CO2 emissions reduction, plastic pollution, and nature-based development solutions.

McCumber also appreciated the city's immediate and long-term solutions in responding to climate change. She further added that the information gathered from the working session will assist the embassies in proposing more relevant policies and cooperative programs that suit Vietnam’s current needs and future challenges.