My presentation at the Conference (pdf):
http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/giz___mangrove_co_management_in_soc_trang.pdf
Coastal Forum confirms nature-based solution a key for climate change adaptation(
the following article on the conference was written by Jake Brunner, Source:
IUCN)
About
200 delegates from local communities, government agencies, academics,
NGOs and media from Cambodia, Thailand and Viet Nam came together at the
Second Annual Coastal Forum from 15-18 October in Soc Trang Province,
Viet Nam, to share experiences, lessons learned and good practices for
climate change adaptation in the coastal zone, highlighting nature-based
solutions.
The event was organised by IUCN, the
Vietnam Administration for Seas and Islands (VASI), German Development
Cooperation (GIZ), the Sustainable Development Foundation (SDF) and Soc
Trang Provincial Peoples' Committee. The Forum is an activity of the
project "Building Resilience to Climate Change Impacts in Coastal
Southeast Asia", funded by the European Union, which aims to increase
adaptive capacity of people and the ecosystems on which they depend to
cope with the anticipated impacts of climate change and plan for DRR,
through sound governance and planning.
“The
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Viet Nam collaborates
closely with IUCN in this project. We realize the importance of this
project, which is contributing to climate change adaptation of the
communities in three countries”, says Dr Vu Sy Tuan, Vice-Administrator
of Vietnam of Seas and Islands, Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environment. “It is also a great platform to share information, lessons
learned and policy advocacy”.
After two years of
implementation in eight coastal provinces of Thailand (Chanthaburi and
Trat), Cambodia (Koh Kong and Kampot), and Viet Nam (Soc Trang, Can Gio,
Kien Giang and Ben Tre) more than 30 pilot project activities,
specifically tailored to the unique characteristics of each site have
been designed and are being implemented to enhance the adaptive capacity
of people and the ecosystems on which they depend to cope with the
anticipated impacts of climate change and plan for disaster risk
reduction.
“Soc Trang and other coastal provinces
in Viet Nam have been facing many difficulties on applying new
knowledge and experience and lack the funding to do so. Therefore, this
Coastal Forum is a great opportunity for Soc Trang Province to discuss
with international organizations, scientists, national and international
management leaders to share knowledge and experience on climate change
adaptation issues”, says Mr Le Thanh Tri, Vice-Chair of Soc Trang
Provincial People’s Committee.
In Thailand, the
initiatives include for instance, mangrove restoration and management,
erosion management, coastal spatial planning, community rights on
natural resources management, livelihood diversification, and awareness
raising which involves the youth. A good example like less intensive
shrimp farming which helps to conserve mangrove forest is a sustainable
and ecologically friendly practice which can be implemented in other
areas as well.
For Cambodia, while Koh Kong is
home to one of the biggest mangrove forests in Southeast Asia, Kampot
also embraces the largest seagrass bed in the region. These ecosystems
greatly contribute to livelihoods and safety from extreme weather events
of local people living in these areas. However, challenges like
infrastructure development, sand mining, and hydropower development in
the watershed areas are significant issues of concern to people's
livelihood security and safety. In response the project is working
together with provincial authorities in both provinces to develop
appropriate spatial planning, including coastal zoning and management
plans.
Recently, ten pilot projects in four
selected provinces were launched in Viet Nam to build community
resilience to climate change impacts. Together with Mangroves for the
Future, approximately $350,000 is being invested into these projects.
The scope of work includes mangrove reforestation, awareness raising,
clean water and environmental sanitation, eco-tourism development for
poor mangrove dependent communities, and changes to fishery, agriculture
and aquaculture practices.
“These coastal
communities in three neighbouring countries are facing similar
climate-induced destinies. The reality is they all have to find ways to
adapt to live in this changing climate”, says Dr Robert Mather, Head of
IUCN Southeast Asia. “While ‘hard’ engineering and infrastructure
projects certainly have a role to play in reilience-building, these
pilot projects demonstrate that development based on bottom-up planning
and 'soft" solutions provided by natural ecosystems are instrumental in
bringing about desired solutions for coastal communities in adapting to
climate change”.
After two days of sharing
experiences with the help of presentations and discussions, the
delegates went on a field trip to different sites in Cu Lao Dung, Vinh
Chau, Tran De (Soc Trang province) or Bac Lieu province to see firsthand
good examples of coastal protection, mangrove rehabilitation and
management, alternative livelihood models etc. GIZ Soc Trang and Bac
Lieu cooperate closely with the IUCN programme and hosted some of the
field visits too. Delegates had the chance to inspect the bamboo
T-fences for erosion control and flood plain management, visit
silvo-aquaculture models and talk to local people who are taking action
in mangrove co-management.
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