The new Water and Natural Resources Management (WARM) Facility aims to enhance Vietnam’s capacities to manage water resources and coastal areas for a more sustainable development.

The WARM Facility will support the preparation and implementation of more strategic investment projects, including hard and soft infrastructure, in the areas of water and other natural resources management, responding to key local challenges like floods and coastal erosion that climate change exacerbates. In addition, the experience gained through these projects will contribute to strategic policy dialogue on climate, environment and natural resource management. Under the agreement, the EU provides a grant of EUR 20 million to AFD. In coordination with the Vietnamese central and local governments, 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 EUR 200 million.

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The new Water and Natural Resources Management (WARM) Facility aims to enhance Vietnam’s capacities to manage water resources and coastal areas for a more sustainable development.

EU Ambassador, Giorgio Aliberti, said “Adaptation to climate change is crucial for the sustainability of Vietnam’s development, and water and natural resources are a key element of it. The intention of the new EUR 20 million grant is to support Vietnam on a pathway towards a greener and resilient future. This is fully in line with EU’s global priorities on international partnerships that call for Green Deals. Enhanced natural resources management will help restore and preserve ecosystems, boost the resilience of the local population and reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

"The WARM Facility responds directly to the needs of Vietnamese partners, including beneficiary provinces, by accelerating the assessment and implementation of strategic investment projects for the territories' resilient development trajectory through the funding of preparatory studies and technical assistance. These projects are at the heart of French cooperation in Vietnam, especially through the following priorities: adaptation of cities and territories to climate change and natural hazards; improved and integrated water resource management and integrated coastal zone management. This is a real added value for all parties.” Fabrice Richy, AFD Director in Vietnam, added.

Vietnam is one of the countries most severely affected by climate change and natural disasters. Rising temperatures and sea levels, and the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events combined with population growth and urbanization are increasing the risk of coastal erosion, urban flooding and drought. Consistent with their international commitments on climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals, the EU and AFD are actively supporting Vietnam in the areas of climate change mitigation (energy transition) and adaptation.

Reported by Bich Vien – Hoang Linh