Nhan Dan Online - Ho Chi Minh City will do its utmost to realise the recently signed Vietnam - New Zealand Action Programme for 2013-2016, contributing to further bilateral co-operation. Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Le Hoang Quan made this statement while receiving visiting Governor General of New Zealand Jerry Mateparae on August 7. He vowed especial focus on the fields of investment, education and training, and response to climate change and rising sea levels. Chairman Quan expressed his delight at the development of comprehensive co-operation between Vietnam and New Zealand made in recent years, particularly through exchanges of delegations at all levels and people-to-people exchanges. Ho Chi Minh City will create favorable conditions for New Zealand's businesses to invest in the city, he said, expressing his hope that the New Zealand Government will facilitate the signing of a Sister City agreement between Ho Chi Minh City and Auckland. For his part, … [Read more...] about Ho Chi Minh City welcomes New Zealand Governor General
Sea level rise new zealand
Vietnam and New Zealand outline joint environmental goals
Trong was speaking at a reception for New Zealand Governor-General Jerry Mateparae. The Party leader said he appreciated New Zealand's Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Vietnam, which contributed to its socio-economic development. Governor-General Mateparae said that New Zealand attached much importance to strengthening its comprehensive partnership with Vietnam in all fields. Vietnam and New Zealand also agreed on measures to develop their bilateral partnership. The agreement was reached during the talks between President Truong Tan Sang and the visiting New Zealand Governor-General yesterday. They agreed to maintain the exchanges of delegations at all levels and people-to-people exchanges and work on co-operation deals reached in the past. At the same time, the two sides should keep bilateral co-operation mechanisms like political consultations, national defence dialogue, and a joint committee on economic and trade co-operation. They also agreed to strengthen ties between the … [Read more...] about Vietnam and New Zealand outline joint environmental goals
Vietnam, New Zealand vow to boost all-around ties
Vietnam and one of its ODA donors, New Zealand, have agreed to promote their comprehensive partnership in various fields, including politics, trade, investment, defense, education, labor and agriculture. The agreement was made at the ninth political consultation between the two countries in Wellington on July 11 under the chair of Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh and New Zealand Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Andrea Smith. The two sides highly valued the fine development of their bilateral comprehensive partnership over the past years, including the two-way trade that rises each year, hitting nearly US$600 million in 2012. New Zealand is now developing 18 projects with a total investment of over US$76.3 million in Vietnam. New Zealand's ODA to Vietnam has increased steadily over time, amounting to 10.5 million NZD in the 2012-2013 fiscal year. FM Vinh and his guest also reached a consensus on devising the 2013-2016 Action Program and preparations … [Read more...] about Vietnam, New Zealand vow to boost all-around ties
Warming seas could push some fish species to limit: study
Rapidly warming ocean temperatures in some parts of the world could be pushing some fish species to the limit, stunting their growth, increasing stress and raising the risk of death, a study shows. An Australian study, published on Monday in the journal Nature Climate Change, focused on the long-lived fish species called the banded morwong in the Tasman Sea, between Australia and New Zealand. Scientists, using long-term and current data, found that the morwong's growth in some areas has been slowed by a jump in sea surface temperatures of nearly 2 degrees Celsius over the past 60 years in the Tasman Sea, one of the most rapid increases in the southern hemisphere's oceans. The results have implications for other fish species, including commercial fisheries, as seas heat up and become more acidic, affecting coral reefs and multi-billion dollar fisheries dependent on them. Generally, cold-blooded animals respond to warming conditions by boosting growth rates as temperatures … [Read more...] about Warming seas could push some fish species to limit: study
Oxfam’s New Climate Change Adaptation Project in Ben Tre Province
PANO - International agency Oxfam starts a five-year disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation project in Ben Tre Province in Vietnam in partnership with the province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD). Funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, this $4m project will be implemented in 15 coastal communes in three districts Binh Dai, Thanh Phu and Ba Tri of Ben Tre Province. The project aims to increase the resilience and adaptive capacity of poor people and local authorities to disaster and climate risks in coastal communities in the Mekong Delta. Approximate 100,000 people will benefit directly from the project activities. Approximate 1,000 government officials at commune, district and province levels will gain more knowledge about how to support communities. Another 300,000 people in the area will benefit indirectly from the project emergency preparedness and livelihood adaptation activities. Ben … [Read more...] about Oxfam’s New Climate Change Adaptation Project in Ben Tre Province