50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Netherlands: Tree planting ceremony to prevent erosion in Tan Loc ward, Thot Not district

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc He, Vice Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee (left) and Mr. Daniel Stork, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ho Chi Minh City (right) at the planting ceremonry.

On the afternoon of September 26, 2023, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc He, Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee, attended the launching ceremony of planting 1,000 cork trees, sponsored by the Blue Dragon Program, to contribute to preventing soil erosion at Tan Loc ward. Accompanying the ceremony were Mr. Daniel Stork, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ho Chi Minh City, representatives of the Blue Dragon Program, and leaders of departments and agencies of Can Tho City and Thot Not district.

The Vice Chairman stated at the ceremony that climate change has caused enormous effects on people and the community. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has identified Vietnam's Mekong Delta as one of three deltas severely affected by climate change in the world. Flooding, rising sea levels, soil erosion, and saltwater intrusion have seriously affected people's lives and livelihoods. Tree planting activities in the Tan Loc ward, Thot Not district are necessary and meaningful to prevent natural disasters and climate change in the locality and are also a practical activity to celebrate the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Netherlands in Can Tho City.

The Vice Chairman expected that people and the authorities in Thot Not district would preserve and take care of plants to heighten the effectiveness of 1,000 cork trees, contributing to preventing erosion and landslides in the Thot Not district.

The Vice Chairman hoped that Consul General Daniel Stork and the Blue Dragon Program would return to Tan Loc ward to witness the grown cork trees and enjoy dishes made from corks.

The Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands said that the Netherlands and the Mekong Delta had numerous similarities, both affected by climate change and shared the same difficulties and challenges. Therefore, the diplomat was delighted to participate in this activity aimed at responding to climate change.

The Consul General expressed his honor that the Netherlands has contributed to and supported locals in several activities, with the participation and sponsor of De Hues Company and Blue Dragon Program. These activities demonstrated the growing friendship between Vietnam and the Netherlands.

Delegates at the tree planting ceremony to prevent erosion in Tan Loc ward, Thot Not district.