The working group discussed the following matters with the provincial People’s Committee: Summarizing the workshop, prerequisites, and special commitments related to the funding for the integrated water resource management project aimed at serving livelihoods, adapting to climate change, and promoting socio-economic development in Tuan Giao district; the progress of the project and the province’s decision on the implementation timeline for the Nậm Rốm River Basin Multi-Hazard Management Project to protect livelihoods, adapt to climate change, and foster socio-economic development in Điện Biên province; and the status of the project dossier for the Nậm Pồ River Basin Multi-Hazard Management Project to protect livelihoods, adapt to climate change, and support socio-economic development in Nậm Pồ district.

In discussions with the AFD working group, the leaders of Điện Biên province reported that, to date, the province has prepared and completed the project proposal for the integrated water resource management project aimed at serving livelihoods, adapting to climate change, and promoting socio-economic development in Tuần Giáo district. The Prime Minister has approved the project proposal, and the provincial People’s Council has approved the investment policy proposal for the project.

Regarding the Nậm Rốm River Basin Multi-Hazard Management Project to protect livelihoods, adapt to climate change, and foster socio-economic development in Điện Biên province, construction has commenced on all 7 construction packages. The estimated completion value is 215 out of VND 612.455 billion (achieving 35.1% of the workload). The total allocated capital until the end of 2025 is VND 700.366 billion, with the project’s disbursed value to date being VND 460.797 billion. The project is facing difficulties in land clearance in Điện Biên Phủ city. The provincial People’s Committee proposed transferring VND 280.662 billion of unallocated capital to 2026 and extending the project to 2026.

The Nậm Pồ River Basin Multi-Hazard Management Project aims to mitigate water-related disasters to protect the safety of approximately 20,000 people in the district; regulate the Nậm Pồ river section running through the center of Nậm Pồ district; and construct the Nậm Pồ irrigation dam to ensure water supply for 30,000 people and 8,000 hectares of agricultural land.

During the meeting, both sides exchanged ideas and discussed optimal solutions to expedite the implementation of the projects. The working group expressed hope that Điện Biên province would promptly complete the investment procedures and project dossiers as required by law; and ensure transparency in the bidding process for selecting design consultants and construction contractors, ensuring they have sufficient capacity.

For the integrated water resource management project in Tuần Giáo district, it was urged to ensure that the construction process addresses environmental factors and biodiversity conservation. For the Nậm Rốm River Basin Multi-Hazard Management Project, it should promptly complete the procedures and prepare related documents to extend the project.

Điện Biên province committed to continuing to direct relevant units to complete the project dossiers to ensure the projects start on schedule; instructing the Tuần Giáo district People’s Committee to promptly complete the preparation, appraisal, and approval of the feasibility study report (FS) and component reports, striving to complete them by April 2025; addressing environmental and social issues during project implementation; and ensuring technical factors during construction, safe dam operation and management, and regulations to ensure dam safety and flood prevention for downstream areas.

Điện Biên province also proposed that the working group consider piloting carbon credits in the integrated water resource management project to serve livelihoods, adapt to climate change, and promote socio-economic development in Tuan Giao district.