PPC Vice Chairman, comrade Nguyen Thien Van recently held a working session with a delegation from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Central Project Office for Irrigation Projects (CPO), led by Ms. Francesca Nardini, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Vietnam.

PPC Vice Chairman, comrade Nguyen Thien Van discussing project-related matters with the working delegation.

According to reports presented at the meeting, the project “Strengthening Climate Resilience of Smallholder Agriculture to Water Insecurity in Central Highlands and South Central Coast of Vietnam” (SACCR) has been implemented for nearly five years, spanning 2022-2026. The project plays a significant role in enhancing climate adaptation capacity, improving sustainable livelihoods for local residents while supporting low-emission agricultural development orientations in the locality.

The project is being carried out across nine communes and wards following administrative restructuring, with total investment nearing 118.6 billion VND sourced from ODA funding alongside provincial counterpart capital. As of May 12, 2026, cumulative disbursement had exceeded 68.8 billion VND, equivalent to 58% of planned capital.

Regarding sub-project “Upgrading and Construction of Irrigation Systems for Upland Crops” under Water Efficiency Improvement in Drought-Affected Provinces Project (WEIDAP), primary objective is to secure irrigation for 2,640 hectares of coffee combined with pepper cultivation in key farming zones. Total project investment exceeds 545 billion VND, financed through loans from Asian Development Bank (ADB) combined with counterpart funding. To date, several major components under WEIDAP have already commenced construction and entered implementation phase. However, compensation alongside site-clearance work remain major bottlenecks. By May 12, 2026, cumulative disbursement had reached approximately 41.1 billion VND, equivalent to around 6.78% of the plan.

Ms. Francesca Nardini, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Vietnam, discussing issues related to the projects.

At the working session, Ms. Francesca Nardini, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Vietnam, highly appreciated Dak Lak’s efforts in implementing project activities. She noted that, for UNDP, this is a priority project concerning water security alongside safeguarding livelihoods for farming households.

Ms. Francesca Nardini urged Dak Lak to promptly complete procedures related to project adjustments, while early issuing documents concerning exchange-rate adjustments and project extension before financing agreement expires. Simultaneously, the locality was advised to strictly control technical risks as well as ensure synchronisation between counterpart pumping station infrastructure and terminal pipeline systems before trial operation. UNDP, she added, will continue close coordination with local authorities alongside Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to address procedures concerning project extension, ensuring SACCR along with WEIDAP achieve best possible outcomes.

Addressing the meeting, PPC Vice Chairman, comrade Nguyen Thien Van acknowledged and highly appreciated active support from UNDP together with CPO in recent years. He emphasised that Dak Lak remains committed to directing departments together with sectors to urgently complete adjustment procedures, remove bottlenecks in site clearance and effectively utilise international aid resources. The province also proposed that UNDP continue accompanying as well as supporting Dak Lak in researching and proposing new projects related to sustainable resource management along with enhancement of community resilience against climate change impacts.

Translated by HAI LOAN