GEF/UNDP/ASEAN Integrated River Basin Management Project Successfully Launched in Viet Nam

^{Photo by Orange Omengan/ PEMSEA}

 

Da Nang City, Viet Nam — 18 April 2025 — The Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia Resource Facility (PRF) in partnership with Viet Nam Environment Agency (VEA) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) and Departments of Agriculture and Environment of Da Nang City and Quang Nam Province, officially launched the Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) Project to enhance the governance and integrated management of the Vu Gia – Thu Bon River Basin and its adjacent coastal areas in Da Nang City and Quang Nam Province.

 

Running from 2023 to 2027, the IRBM Project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). PRF serves as the executing agency in partnership with ASEAN, with project activities being rolled out across six ASEAN Member States, including Viet Nam. This initiative aims to reduce pollution, sustain freshwater environmental flows, and strengthen resilience to climate change vulnerabilities.
 

 

^{Ms. Aimee Gonzales, Executive Director of PEMSEA Resource Facility}

 

In her online remarks, Ms. Aimee Gonzales, Executive Director of PRF, highlighted the project’s core approach. “We are applying the Source-to-Sea framework to link actions across the entire water system, from the river’s headwaters to the coast. This integrated approach recognizes the connections between land, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems and promotes cooperation among diverse stakeholders at all levels.” 

 

^{Ms. Nancy Bermas, the IRBM Regional Project Manager, represented PEMSEA Resource Facility during the project launch. Photo by Orange Omengan/ PEMSEA}

 

At the project launch ceremony, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thien Phuong, Deputy Director General of the Viet Nam Environment Agency under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, stated that the project's objective is to establish sustainable and effective management mechanisms for the Vu Gia–Thu Bon River Basin and the coastal areas of Da Nang City and Quang Nam Province. These mechanisms will be developed through interdisciplinary solutions, including efforts to improve water quality, reduce pollution, manage solid waste, and maintain environmental flows.

 

^{Ms. Nguyen Thi Thien Phuong, Deputy Director General of Viet Nam Environment Agency Photo by Orange Omengan/ PEMSEA}

 

According to Mr. Dang Quang Vinh, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Agriculture and Environment, the project’s potential in strengthening environmental management through cross-sectoral and inter-regional collaboration. “This initiative will foster closer cooperation between localities, government agencies, the private sector, and communities to address shared environmental challenges,” he said.
 

Mr. Vo Nhu Toan, Deputy Director of the Quang Nam Department of Natural Resources and Environment, stated that the Vu Gia - Thu Bon river system plays a key role in providing domestic water for millions of people in Quang Nam and Da Nang.  “This project is a good opportunity for stakeholders to assess the current situation, strengthen interdisciplinary governance mechanisms, and gradually develop a more effective integrated river basin management strategy for the Vu Gia - Thu Bon River Basin and the coastal areas of Da Nang - Quang Nam”, he mentioned. 
 

The Vu Gia – Thu Bon River Basin faces mounting pressures from hydropower development, rapid urbanization, and growing industrial demand. These trends have altered natural water flows and increased the discharge of untreated wastewater, resulting in degraded water quality and adverse impacts on ecosystems, including saltwater intrusion in coastal areas of Da Nang and Quang Nam.
 

In response, the IRBM Project will implement targeted interventions to be identified in consultation with the local governments and stakeholders with the aim of improving water quality, reducing pollution sources, managing solid waste, and maintaining essential environmental flows. These efforts will contribute to the development of a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable governance and management system for the Vu Gia – Thu Bon River Basin and its adjacent coastal areas.

 

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About the IRBM Project

Supported by the Global Environment Facility, the Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) Project aims to set-up functional management mechanisms in priority river basins of six ASEAN countries to reduce pollution and sustain freshwater environmental flows as well as adapt to climate change vulnerabilities. The Project is being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, and executed by Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of Seas Asia, in collaboration with ASEAN.