On February 17, 2022, the French Development Agency (AFD) co-chaired the final workshop for project preparation study for urban development and climate resilience is conducted in Bac Kan province, Vietnam.

This project preparation study (PPS) is conducted under the supervision of the Cities Development Initiative for Asia (CDIA) through European Union (EU) and AFD funds and endorsement from the national partner agencies. Investment works are funds with AFD loan plus counterpart contribution while capacity building activities will be supported with grant funds from EU via the Water and Natural Resource Management Facility (WARM). The PPS commenced in January 2021 and has now completed the final report with recommendations for downstream projects. 

Project "Embankment against landslides to respond to climate change, protect people's lives and serve agricultural production in Bac Kan province" was granted AFD loan with a total estimated investment of more than EUR 25.1 million, equivalent to over VND 685 billion, estimated implementation time from 2023 to 2026.

AFD Vietnam Director gives opening remarks at the final workshop for project preparation study for urban development and climate resilience is conducted in Bac Kan province, Vietnam

During the workshops, the consultant team overviewed the content of the Study and the elements of the proposed project. The workshop program includes time for discussion with the stakeholders such as the Department of Construction, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Natural Resources and Environment to reach agreement on key issues. The final workshop will help Bac Kan province complete the project proposal, submit it to the competent authority for appraisal and submit to the Prime Minister for approval of the project proposal according to regulations. 

With expected implementation time from 2023-2026, the project will contribute to protect people's lives and serve agricultural production in Bac Kan province. 

Speaking at the workshop, Chairman of the People's Committee of Bac Kan province Nguyen Dang Binh emphasized: Bac Kan is very happy to be supported by EU and AFD organizations via this project. The province will promote to speed up the preparation progress to quickly build the project's components.

Minimize the impact of natural disasters 

One day prior to the workshop, the AFD Vietnam delegation led by the Country Director, EUD representatives and the consulting group of Cities Development Initiative for Asia (CDIA) visited project site of the Urban development and Climate resilience in Bac Kan province, including Cau river, Nong Thuong and Ba Danh streams.

The AFD Vietnam delegation visited project site of the Urban development and Climate resilience in Bac Kan province

The objective of the Project is to strengthen the integrated management of the Cau River, Nong Thuong and Pa Danh stream basins in order to minimize the impact of natural disasters which are mainly floods, droughts, riverbank and stream erosion. 

The project helps to protect people's lives and properties and to serve socio-economic development in the context of climate change. The project will also create landscape, ecology and environment-friendly areas along Cau river; improve capacity to cope with climate change and natural disaster prevention and control in Bac Kan province.

Sharing with the press about the project, Mr. Hervé Conan, AFD Director in Vietnam said: “The research team and project management team in Bac Kan city worked closely together to design the most appropriate project possible. We have tried to balance hard and soft solutions in the plan to achieve the best fit and efficiency for the project”.

The project in Bac Kan is among 9 projects in 9 provinces under the WARM Facility implemented by AFD and funded by the EU. WARM Facility supports the preparation and implementation of strategic infrastructure investment projects in the areas of water and natural resources management in response to key local challenges such as flooding and coastal erosion, exacerbated by climate change. Experience gained from these projects will contribute to the policy dialogue on climate, environment and natural resource management. In this framework, the EU has allocated a 20 million euros grant to AFD. This facility is the first of its kind to be implemented by AFD in Vietnam. The innovative programmatic approach allows for greater efficiency and project quality, serving programming that is aligned with the priorities of the Vietnamese government and AFD. In coordination with Vietnamese central and local authorities, AFD will mobilize the WARM Facility to prepare and implement investment projects co-financed by AFD loans and Vietnam's own resources over the period 2021-2029 for an estimated total amount of 200 million euros.