50219 STABILIZING THE ECONOMY AND MAINTAINING ITS GROWTH POTENTIAL Vietnam Partnership Report Update An Informal Report Prepared for the Mid-year Consultative Group Meeting for Vietnam Buon Ma Thuot, Dak Lak, June 8-9, 2009 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This volume serves as an update to the main report Stabilizing the Economy and Maintaining its Growth Potential produced for the full Consultative Group Meeting in December 2008. This volume is the product of teamwork and partnerships in Vietnam, and brings together contributions from many of the joint Government-donor-NGO partnership groups, all working together to help Vietnam achieve its development targets, to improve the co-ordination and to make delivery of Official Development Assistance (ODA) more effective. Its production was only possible through the co-operation, contributions and active support of a wide range of development partners, including Government staff, donors and NGOs. Key contacts (though not necessarily leaders) of the groups, most of which have reported in this volume, are currently as detailed below. Non-inclusion in this volume does not imply non-activity on the part of a partnership group. Poverty Working Group/Poverty Task Force Cao Viet Sinh (MPI); Martin Rama/Doan Hong Quang (WB); Nguyen Tien Phong (UNDP) Partnership to support National Target Programs Nguyen Hai Huu/Tran Huu Trung/Tran Phi on Poverty Reduction Tuoc (MOLISA); Tran Van Thuat (CEMA); Gender Action Partnership NCFAW ISG Environment Tran Thi Minh Ha (MoNRE) People's Participation's Working Group Pham Thuy Anh (C&D) Partnership on SOE Reform & Equitization Martin Rama (WB); Nguyen Danh Hao (IMF) Partnership Group for SME Promotion and Nguyen Van Trung (MPI); Rie Vejs Private Sector Development Kjeldgaard (ILO); Trang Nguyen (IFC) Financial Sector Working Group Le Minh Hung (SBV) Trade Reforms Working Group Martin Rama/Nguyen Minh Duc (World Bank) Vietnam Business Forum Sin Foong Wong (IFC) Education Working Group Tran Ba Viet Dzung (MoET); Noala Skinner (UNICEF); Anouk Van-Neck (EC) Health Partnership Group Ministry of Health; WHO HIV/AIDS Technical Working Group UNAIDS Forest Sector Support Partnership Nguyen Tuong Van (FSSP)/ Nguyen Bich Hang, Nguyen Thanh Phuong Natural Disasters Mitigation Partnership Nguyen Si Nuoi (MARD)/NDP-P ISG-MARD Le Van Minh (MARD-ISG) Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Partnership Nguyen Thi Tuyet Hoa (MARD-ISG)/Nguyen Danh Soan (RWSSP) Transport Partnership Group Truong Tan Vien (MoT), Motonori Tsuno(JICA) Urban Forum Pham Khanh Toan (Ministry of Construction) Legal Reforms Partnership Nguyen Minh Phuong (MoJ) Public Administrative Reform Partnership Ministry of Home Affairs Public Financial Management Partnership Nguyen Ba Toan (Ministry of Finance) Partnership group on Aid Effectiveness Ho Quang Minh (MPI); Kerry Groves (AusAid) Bo Thi Hong Mai (World Bank) managed production of this volume and coordinated the Theme Notes from the Development Partnership Groups. Further copies of this report are available from the Vietnam Development Information Center, Ground Floor, 63 Ly Thai To, Hanoi, and at www.worldbank.org.vn and www.vdic.org.vn. Photo: Mrs Gould's Sunbird (Aethopyga gouldiae) lives in North West and South of Central part of Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Birdlife. 2 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS GENDER ACTION PARTNERSHIP..................................................................5 PEOPLE'S PARTICIPATION'S WORKING GROUP .................................15 ISG ENVIRONMENT...........................................................................................18 FOREST SECTOR SUPPORT PARTNERSHIP....................................... .....25 NATURAL DISASTERS MITIGATION PARTNERSHIP...........................32 HEALTH PARTNERSHIP GROUP...................................................................35 SME PARTNERSHIP GROUP............................................................................42 TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP GROUP...........................................................46 4 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ADB Asian Development Bank ASEAN Association of South East Asian Nations AFD Agence Francaise de Developpement CEPT Common Effective Preferential Tariff CIDA Canadian International Development Agency CIE Center for International Economics CIEM Central Institute for Economic Management CPNET The government information network CPRGS Comprehensive Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy CPLAR Cooperation Program on Land Administration Reform DANIDA Danish International Development Agency EU European Union FAO Food and Agricultural Organisation GDP Gross Domestic Product ILO International Labour Organization ISG International Support Group JICA Japanese International Cooperation Agency KfW Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau LPTS Legal Professional Training School LMDG Like-Minded Donor Group MDG Millennium Development Goal MOJ Ministry of Justice MOT Ministry of Trade NGO Non-governmental Organization NORAD Norway Agency for Development NSCERD National Steering Committee for Enterprise Reform and Development ODA Official Development Assistance ONA Office of National Assembly OSS One-Stop Shop PPA Participatory Poverty Assessment RPA Regional Poverty Assessment SDC Swiss Development Cooperation SIDA Swedish International Development Agency SPC Supreme People's Court SPP Supreme People's Procuracy UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNODC United Nations Office of Drug Control UN United Nations UNFPA United Nations Population Fund UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNV United Nations Volunteers UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee VDG Vietnam Development Goal VHLSS Vietnam Household Living Standards Survey VNU Viet Nam National University SBV State Bank of Vietnam WB World Bank WHO World Health Organization WTO World Trade Organization 5 GENDER ACTION PARTNERSHIP GROUP Report to the Consultative Group, June 2009 In recognition of the critical role of gender equality in poverty reduction and sustainable development, the Gender Action Partnership (GAP) has been implemented effectively by relevant ministries/agencies and UN agencies and other international organizations working on gender equality and the advancement of women. The next 12 months will see a review and strengthening of the GAP and a streamlining of inputs into both the Consultative Group process as well as the PRSC triggers and policy actions. At present, the Vietnamese Government is working on the implementation of the Government Decree no. 48/2009/N -CP on Measures to Ensure Gender Equality, signed on May 19, 2009, which will become effective as of July 15, 2009. According to the Decree, relevant ministries and agencies must be responsible for developing follow-up specific circulars to ensure effectively the implementation of the GEL. The Prime Minister has also provided other guidance to concerned ministries and agencies on the promotion of women's advancement and gender equality including: strengthening of the machinery for the advancement of women; enhanced monitoring and evaluation of the National Strategy for the Advancement of Women to 2010; development of sex disaggregated data in State statistics; planning, training and appointment of women cadres; budget allocation for women's advancement-related activities; and communication on the advancement of women and gender equality. Therefore, it is appropriate timing to promote activities on gender equality in Viet Nam, and relevant ministries/agencies will be willing to receive technical assistance and other support to fulfil their assigned responsibilities. As a forum on gender equality and the advancement of women, the GAP continues to inform public debate and policy making. The recent meeting 21 May 2009 has endorsed the following brief paper which addresses the gender dimensions of four of the themes of the mid-term Consultative Group meeting in June 2009: the macroeconomic situation, the impacts of the economic slowdown, climate change, and aid effectiveness. The paper addresses these themes in particular as gender analysis of these issues has been under-developed to date in Viet Nam. In relation to the fifth theme, governance, gender dimensions of participation and representation have been well-researched and discussed to date, while there is currently no available data to support a robust analysis of gender and other fields related to governance. The paper presents international debates and data around gender equality with regards to the four themes, and draws upon the limited available data from Viet Nam. Each section concludes with a series of potential responses and follow-up actions. 1. Macroeconomic Situation Despite the long-held assumption that macroeconomic and trade policies are gender neutral, gender is in fact a critical element in the intersection of trade, economic growth and poverty reduction. Macroeconomic policy has differential impacts on men and women due to social gender roles, the power dynamics between women and men in society, and women's unequal access to economic resources such as land, credit and technology. A gender analysis of macroeconomic policies is also crucial from an efficiency perspective, as gender inequalities in control over resources such as land, credit and knowledge "constrain the output response and thus the export capacity of the whole economy".1 The UNCTAD Secretariat has noted that the "strong correlation between the gender gap, economic development and national competitiveness suggests the importance of incorporating gender equality into policymaking".2 International research demonstrates that trade liberalization has led to increased employment opportunities and labour market participation for women in many countries - especially in the case of semi-industrialized economies and export-oriented manufacturing industries such as electronics, textiles, garments and shoes, where women typically make up the majority of workers. This is supported by the findings from a qualitative study undertaken in 2008 by ILSSA and UNIFEM investigating the social impacts of WTO accession on rural 1 Çaatay, Nilüfer (2001) `Trade, Gender and Poverty: Listening to the Needs of Women in Trade Negotiations', New York: UNDP, p. 26. 2 UNCTAD (2009) `Report of the Expert Meeting on Mainstreaming Gender in Trade Policy', UNCTAD, TD/B/C.I/EM.2/4, Geneva, 10­11 March 2009, p.1. 6 women in Hai Duong and Dong Thap provinces.3 Overall, the research suggests that rural women in the two provinces have enjoyed significant new opportunities in the labour market associated with WTO accession, particularly in labour-intensive unskilled jobs (for young women), and in the small-scale trade and service sectors (for middle-aged women). These jobs benefit women in terms of increasing their opportunities and incomes, especially as compared to agricultural work. These changes in income earning capacity can also increase women's control over income and decision-making power within the household, which has broader implications for families as a whole, with women tending to spend a higher proportion of income on family nutrition, health and education as compared to men.4 Again, this global trend is supported by the ILSSA and UNIFEM data in Viet Nam, which found that within the household, that there have been advances in challenging the traditional gendered division of labour, and women's increased role in income generation has enabled them in some cases to play a strong role in household decision-making, thus improving gender equality.5 Many other features of women's increased employment opportunities, however, do not bode well for the reduction of gender inequalities. The employment opportunities open to women are often poor quality, focused in the informal sector, requiring low skills, and with increasing gender wage gaps and gendered patterns of segregation. Researchers have suggested that in the context of global competition and deregulation, gendered patterns of employment segmentation and women's relatively lower wages have become important factors pulling women into labour markets.6 Many of women's employment gains are in export-processing zones exempt from local labour laws, where work is often characterized by long hours, job insecurity, low wages, health risks and sexual harassment. Similarly, the competitive pressures created by economic integration see enterprises using more seasonal, iece-work and home-based workers; again, women are more likely to work in these types of jobs, and again, they tend to be characterized by unstable and unsafe working conditions.7 Many of these issues are illustrated in Viet Nam with evidence primarily from gender analyses of the Viet Nam Household Living Standards Survey (VHLSS) conducted by the World Bank and others. The gender gap in earnings from wage employment remains significant, and there is significant gender-based segregation of the economy by sector and occupation.8 Data from the 2003 Enterprise Survey shows that this segregation constrains women more than men.9 VHLSS data also points to gender inequalities in the vertical segregation of labour, with men predominating in higher status, better paid forms of employment while women are concentrated in poorer paid, less prestigious forms of work.10 Further critical research was carried out in 2008 by the Institute for Labour Science and Social Affairs' (ILSSA) Research Center for Female Labour and Gender, using quantitative methods to assess and forecast the impacts of Viet Nam's admission to WTO on the employment, income and lives of women workers.11 The study found that while the overall wage gap between women and men decreased between 1998 and 2006, there was an increase in the mean wage gap between urban and rural female workers, and between skilled and unskilled female workers. Gendered wage gaps were higher in export-oriented and import-oriented sectors than in non export-oriented and import-oriented sectors, suggesting that economic integration has increased the gender wage gap. In addition, non-export-oriented sectors experienced the highest increases in mean wage, while export-oriented sectors saw low rates of mean wage increases, indicating that export -oriented sectors do not improve the living standard of women workers. 3 ILSSA and UNIFEM (forthcoming) `Socio-Economic Impacts of WTO Accession on Rural Women: Qualitative Research in Viet Nam', Hanoi: ILSSA and UNIFEM. 4 Çaatay (2001), p. 26. 5 ILSSA and UNIFEM (forthcoming). 6 Çaatay (2001), p. 23. 7 Coche, Isabel (2004) `Trade Liberalization, Gender and Development: What are the Issues and How Can We Think About Them?' Washington, D.C.: Organization of American States. 8 Lee, Sunhwa (2008) `Gender Analysis of the 2006 Viet Nam Household Living Standard Survey: How Do Women Fare in Education, Employment, and Health?' (unpublished draft), Hanoi: World Bank. 9 Kabeer, Naila, Tran Thi Van Anh and Vu Manh Loi (2005) `Preparing for the Future: Forward-Looking Strategies to Promote Gender Equality in Viet Nam', Hanoi: UNDP. 10 Kabeer et al (2005), Lee (2008). 11 Institute for Labour Science and Social Affairs (2008) `Ministerial Research Project on Impacts of Viet Nam's Admission to WTO on the Employment, Income and Lives of Women Workers', Hanoi: Research Center for Female Labour and Gender, ILSSA. The study uses data from the VHLSS from 1998 to 2006, the Enterprise Survey 2000-2006, and the survey on labour and employment 2000-2006. 7 The qualitative research by ILSSA and UNIFEM also found that quality of the export manufacturing jobs is low, with little security and poor working conditions; these opportunities do little to improve gender equality. The study found that in Viet Nam, some groups of women are especially vulnerable to the negative impacts of trade liberalization, and are at risk of falling into poverty; these include middle-aged women, unskilled women, women whose land was recovered in the urbanization process, single women and women with disabilities. Migrant women, while improving their income, suffer from weak social capital and vulnerability to exploitation.12 In addition, women's reproductive work in the `care economy' can hinder their participation in the labour market, while at the same time the increase in women's paid employment is generally not offset by a reduction in their unpaid labour in the household, resulting in a `double burden' for women. The research conducted by ILSSA and UNIFEM in Viet Nam found that women's `double role' resulting from their productive and reproductive tasks has left women time-poor, and overworked.13 This in turn may result in a reduction in the provision of care in the home: the 1999 Human Development Report identified an association between the intensification of global trade competition and a reduction in the provision of paid and unpaid care14, with significant implications for human development. A reduction in the time available for care giving can have negative impacts on children, especially in rural areas where children's labour may be used to offset household economic shocks. Based on ILSSA's quantitative data and analysis, a set of forecasts was made with regard to the 2008 - 2012 period.15 Economic integration is likely to bring increased opportunities for good jobs with high wages for female workers, and will therefore reduce gender gaps between men and women in employment and wages. However, due to the constraints on women's participation in the labour market, women are likely to benefit less than men in accessing well-paid jobs resulting from WTO accession. Women workers with low skills and low qualifications (especially in export-oriented sectors) shall be at risk of unemployment, and are expected to experience a greater wage reduction than men. The forecasts also suggest that the impacts of economic integration shall continue to increase the gap in the mean wage of women workers between rural and urban areas, and between skilled workers and unskilled workers. It is expected that a large proportion of women working in the informal sector will continue to be vulnerable to increased health risks, will not be covered by social security, and will generally be negatively affected by economic integration. Policy and other responses · Both donors and government partners should provide continued and increased consideration of gender in relation to macroeconomic issues, especially around trade policy and the impacts of economic integration. This includes attention to further research and sex-disaggregated data collection, as well as analysis of gender issues in trade policy development. · Develop incentive schemes to promote women's access to education and vocational training programs, to help them to access better job opportunities requiring higher qualifications and receiving higher wages. Also, continue to implement vocational training programs, and improve the effectiveness of these programs for female farmers, especially those living in areas undergoing urbanization processes and those whose land has been recovered by the state. · Consider offering preferential schemes and incentives to enterprises and investors who meet specific criteria to support and improve women's access to the benefits of WTO accession. These incentives are likely to encourage enterprises and investors to address gender equality and the rights of women. · Relevant parties should consider the development of a national level program on "Promoting gender equality to ensure that all men and women benefit equally from WTO accession". The program should incorporate education for women and men on relevant on policies and legislation relating to WTO; monitoring of gender equality legislation; raising women's awareness of the opportunities and challenges associated with WTO accession; and providing special guidance and support for women, especially vulnerable groups of women, to access the opportunities and cope with the challenges associated with WTO accession. 12 ILSSA and UNIFEM (forthcoming). 13 ILSSA and UNIFEM (forthcoming). 14 UNDP (1999) Human Development Report. New York: Oxford University Press. 15 ILSSA (2008). 8 2. Economic Slowdown The current global economic crisis impacts differently on women and men, based largely on pre-existing gender inequalities. In broad terms, women are less able to cope with and overcome such crises than men due to their reduced access to and control over resources, their time burdens, their vulnerability to violence and their limited decision-making authority.16 In addition, women's jobs generally pay lower wages and are not covered by social safety nets; by contrast, men tend to have higher paying jobs, more assets and are more likely to be covered by unemployment insurance.17 Pre-existing labour market disadvantages faced by women, including concentration in insecure jobs, in the informal sector and the gendered segregation of industries discussed in the previous section, mean that women are often among the first to lose their jobs. For example, female unemployment is expected to "rise disproportionately as public sector budget cuts are made, since women are disproportionately employed in education, health and social services".18 In countries where women are concentrated in industries which have been severely affected by the financial crisis, such as export manufacturing, garments, electronics and footwear, the effects on women will be greater than on men.19 Women constitute around 60-80% of the export manufacturing workforce in developing countries20 ­ a sector which the World Bank predicts will shrink during the crisis.21 The International Labour Organization (ILO) forecasts that the current economic crisis will push an additional 22 million women into unemployment and will see women's unemployment rates rise to higher than those of men, especially in developing countries.22 These global issues have important resonances for Viet Nam, as women in Viet Nam are also concentrated in these employment sectors.23 A downward trend in orders for garments and footwear has already been noted in Viet Nam,24 with potential negative consequences for women workers. Furthermore, research suggests that in an economic downturn, migrant workers, both men and women, tend to be among the first to lose their jobs. Women constitute almost half of the world's migrant workers, and comprise around two thirds of all migration flows from Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.25 In 2008, remittances sent back to developing countries totaled $350 billion worldwide,26 and as such female wages through remittances are a crucial form of income for many families. Again, female migrant workers are often more vulnerable to economic crisis than male migrant workers, with less access to benefits, less protection of their rights, low skills and low levels of education. Recent job losses for women migrant workers around the world have meant that "flows of remittances have declined and families back home, mostly women and children, are suffering of loss of vital household income and lack of social protection".27 Research in Viet Nam has confirmed the importance of remittances from migrant workers in terms of risk-coping and mutual support within the family,28 nd other data shows that in Viet Nam women migrant workers predominate in vulnerable export manufacturing industries,29 so these global issues can be expected to a certain extent in Viet Nam. 16 Quisumbing, Agnes, Ruth Meinzen-Dick and Lucy Bassett (2008) `Helping Women Respond to the Global Food Price Crisis', IFPRI Policy Brief, 7 October 2008. 17 Seguino, Stephanie (2009) `The gender perspectives of the financial crisis', Interactive Expert Panel, United Nations Commission on the Status of Women 53rd Session, New York, March 2009, p. 3. 18 Seguino (2009), p. 3-4. 19 Seguino (2009), p. 3. 20 Emmett, Bethan (2009) `Paying the price for the Economic Crisis', Oxfam International Discussion Paper, March 2009. 21 World Bank (2009) `World Bank calls for expanding economic opportunities for women as global economic crisis continues', press release 29 January 2009. 22 ILO (2009) `Global Employment Trends for Women: March 2009', Geneva: ILO, pp. 26-31. 23 Kabeer, Naila and Tran Thi Van Anh (2006) `Globalization, Gender and Work in the context of economic transition: the case of Viet Nam', UNDP Viet Nam Policy Dialogue Paper 2006/2, Hanoi: UNDP. 24 World Bank (2009) `Battling the forces of global recession', World Bank Economic Update for the East Asia and Pacific Region, April 2009. 25 UNIFEM (????) `Implications of the global recession on women in developing countries: what can gender equality advocates do?' 2009 26 World Bank (2009) `Women in 33 countries highly vulnerable to financial crisis effects ­ earnings', press release 6 March 2009. 27 UNDP (2009) `E-Consultation on the Impact of the Economic and Financial Crisis on Gender Equality', Unpublished document. 28 Niimi, Yoko, Thai Hung Pham and Barry Reilly (2008) `Determinants of remittances: recent evidence using data on internal migrants in Vietnam', World Bank Policy Research Working Paper WPS4586, Hanoi: The World Bank. 29 Kabeer, Naila, Tran Thi Van Anh and Vu Manh Loi (2005) `Preparing for the Future: Forward-Looking Strategies to Promote Gender Equality in Viet Nam', United Nations and World Bank Thematic Discussion Paper, Hanoi: UNDP. 9 Another key element of the impact of the economic downturn is that of food security. The poorest households tend to allocate the greatest proportion of their income ­ up to 75% - to purchasing food. Women and other marginalized groups such as ethnic minorities are overrepresented amongst the poor, and hence will be overrepresented amongst those adversely impacted by the food crisis; women and girls currently constitute 70% of the world's undernourished people.30 As food prices rise, households typically cut back on food quantity and quality, reducing the micronutrients which women and girls ­ and especially pregnant and breastfeeding women ­ particularly need.31 Women frequently reduce their own consumption to leave more food for other household members. In addition, women's energy expenditures and time burdens are increased when they spend more time purchasing and preparing cheaper types of food, at the expense of time for other productive and reproductive activities.32 Despite limited research on these issues in Viet Nam, recent qualitative studies have reflected some of these findings. For example, the research carried out in late 2008 by UNIFEM and ILSSA suggested that women's expenditure needs including food are prioritized below those of the rest of the household during times of economic crisis, with one female focus group participant noting, "our nutrition is getting worse, but sometimes we still buy some good food for the children or wine for the husband. I often only eat rice and vegetables".33 These findings are also reflected in a 2008 study by Oxfam and Action Aid, which also found that price hikes had additional impacts on ethnic minority women in Viet Nam: men gain greater control over the family resources, as they are assumed to have better Kinh language and technical skills, while "women have to take on more upland farming work and continue to be responsible for cooking and taking care of children on a lower budget".34 As more women and men lose their jobs, remittances decrease, prices increase and public spending may be under pressure, women face their roles in looking after the family with less income with which to do so, with possible knock-on effects to health and education. The World Bank has noted that women in 33 counties are highly vulnerable to the effects of the economic crisis, predicting an increase in infant and child mortality, less girls' schooling and reduced earnings.35 In addition, research by the Institute for Development Studies in five countries has identified an increase in conflicts and domestic violence in poor households as a result of the food, fuel and financial crises.36 Policy and other responses · Policy responses to the financial slow-down must avoid disadvantaging women, and should take the opportunity to incorporate financing gender equality into any response packages. For example, fiscal oversight bodies with a quota for equal representation of women could help monitor expenditures and provide policy advice to ensure stimulus expenditures have gender equitable effects. · Stimulus packages should ensure that spending is gender equitable in job creation, taking into account the labour market disadvantages that women face. Stimulus of the construction and physical infrastructure sectors tends to benefit male workers more than women, despite being used to offset job losses in the female dominated manufacturing sector. Therefore, explicit employment growth targets for women should be considered. · In addition, policy responses should consider investment in social infrastructure projects in areas such as public health, education, child care and other social services. Social infrastructure projects not only help to generate jobs for women, as women are often heavily represented in these areas, but also serve to reduce the burden of care and unpaid work for women. 30 Keating, Adriana (2008) `Gender and Food Security', AusAID June 2008, p. 1. 31 Quisumbing, Meinzen-Dick and Bassett (2008), p. 1. 32 Quisumbing, Meinzen-Dick and Bassett (2008), p. 1. 33 ILSSA and UNIFEM (forthcoming) `Socio-Economic Impacts of WTO Accession on Rural Women: Qualitative Research in Viet Nam', Hanoi: ILSSA and UNIFEM. 34 Oxfam and Action Aid (2008) `Impacts of price hikes on the lives and livelihoods of poor people in Viet Nam', Hanoi: Oxfam and Action Aid. 35 World Bank (2009) `Women in 33 countries highly vulnerable to financial crisis effects ­ World Bank estimates increase in infant mortality, less girl education and reduced earnings', press release 6 March 2009. 36 Institute of Development Studies (2009) "Accounts of Crisis: Poor People's Experience of the Food, Fuel and Financial Crisis in Five Countries", IDS: United Kingdom, March 2009 10 · Responses to the financial situation should also consider the human as well as financial aspects of the crisis. It is now more important than ever to remain committed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals, including promoting gender equality. 3. Climate Change Research from around the globe has demonstrated that existing gender inequalities in society ­ including some of the gender roles, gendered division of labour and access to and control over resources and information discussed earlier in this paper ­ can intensify the impacts of climate change on women. At the same time, climate change impacts can also serve to exacerbate existing gender inequalities. The most obvious example of this relates to mortality rates in natural disasters caused by climate change. Recent research has found that women and children are 14 times more likely to die than men during disasters.37 For example, women accounted for 90% of the 140,000 people who died during the 1999 Bangladesh cyclone disaster,38 in the Asian tsunami in 2004 70-80% of deaths were women,39 and in the 2006 tsunami in Indonesia and Sri Lanka, male survivors outnumbered female survivors by three or four to one.40 A similar pattern has also been noted in Viet Nam; research by Oxfam found that more women than men died as a result of heavy flooding in Hai Lang in 1999.41 Women and girls' vulnerability to mortality from climate change-related disasters is linked to existing gender inequalities. For example, men are more likely to hear disaster warning signals in public spaces where they are more likely to work; they also are more likely to receive preferential treatment in rescue and recovery efforts.42 Socialization differences may mean that girls are not equipped with the same skills as their brothers, such as tree climbing and swimming;43 this was found to be a key factor in Viet Nam, where many more women than men cannot swim.44 Restrictions on women's mobility in public places is also crucial; in the 1991 Bangladesh floods, many women died waiting for relatives to return home and escort them to a safe place.45 Women's livelihoods are especially vulnerable to climate change. Women farmers are often "the first to lose their jobs in climate change affected communities and last to find new work in formal sectors".46 Due to the gendered division of labour, women comprise 70-80% of the world's agricultural workers,47 and are often responsible for market food, vegetable gardens and small livestock, as opposed to men who are generally responsible for cash cropping and larger livestock. As such, increased floods and droughts due to climate change will affect women's crop and livestock production, and their lack of land rights and access to resources such as credit mean that they are less able to access support and alternative livelihood options.48 These issues are confirmed in Viet Nam, where a high dependency on land and natural resources for their livelihoods renders women more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. In Viet Nam, in rural areas more women than men are engaged in agricultural production, meaning that women face high risks of loss from drought and uncertain rainfall patterns.49 Climate change contributes to water insecurity, which in turn increases the work level of women involved in subsistence farming, as they spend more time and effort on land preparation and crop watering.50 37 Aguilar, Lorena (2008) "Acknowledging the Linkages: Gender and Climate Change." Paper presented at Social Dimensions of Climate Change Conference, World Bank, Washington, D.C., March 2008. 38 Aguilar, Lorena (2004) `Climate Change and Disaster Mitigation', Switzerland: IUCN. 39 Rooke, Anna (2009) `Doubling the Damage: World Bank Climate Investment Funds Undermine Climate and Gender Justice,' Washington, D.C.: Gender Action. 40 Davis, Ian, et al. (2005) `Tsunami, Gender and Recovery', Special Issue for International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, Issue 6, October 2005. 41 Oxfam (2008) Viet Nam: Climate Change, Adaptation and Poor People, Hanoi: Oxfam International. 42 Neumayer, Eric and Thomas Pluemper (2007) The Gendered Nature of Natural Disasters: The Impact of Catastrophic Events on the Gender Gap in Life Expectancy, 1981-2002, Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 97 (3): 551- 566. 43 Demetriades, Justina and Emily Espen (2008) `Gender and Climate Change: Mapping the Linkages,' Scoping study prepared for DFID, BRIDGE, Institute of Development Studies. 44 Oxfam (2008). 45 Rohr, Ulrike (2005) `Gender and Climate Change,' in Tiempo: Climate Change Newsletter, UEA, SEI and IIED. 46 Rooke, Anna (2009). 47 Rooke, Anna (2009). 48 Demetriades and Espen (2008). 49 Le Cong Than (2008) `Women's Vulnerability and Policy Framework for Climate Change Adaptation ­ Viet Nam', Presentation at the Third Global Congress of Women in Politics and Governance, Manila, October 2008. 50 Thanh (2008). 11 In addition, women are often responsible for collecting water and fuel, both of which tasks can be severely affected by climate changes, thus increasing the time it takes to secure these resources, and reducing the time available to participate in wage earning activities.51 Oxfam's research in Viet Nam similarly found that women often had to spend more time collecting wood and clean water after floods.52 Climate change also increases women's care work; women remain responsible for healthcare, childcare, caring for the ill and elderly and food provision in most places throughout the world. As such, "as climate change aggravates illness and injuries caused by contaminated water, famine and natural disasters, women's care work also multiplies"53, contributing to women's time poverty which hinders their participation in other spheres of life. Data shows that in Viet Nam, too, the gendered division of labour results in women undertaking the vast majority of food preparation and childcare tasks,54 and that climate change impacts see women spending increased time engaging in these tasks and caring for the sick and elderly, thus reducing the time available for girls' education and for women's income generation activities.55 Women's unique knowledge is frequently underused when preparing climate change adaptation or mitigation strategies. Men and women have access to different types of knowledge about their surroundings and about natural resources due to the gendered division of labour, and yet men's knowledge is largely prioritized at the expense of the information and experiences of women. This is especially the case when it comes to high level decision making processes regarding climate change mitigation; for example, at the Conference of the Parties (COP7) meeting in Marrakech, the ratio of male to female professionals deciding on forestry and energy projects was 11 to 1.56 However, women's involvement in mitigation strategies can provide successful results. For example, only one community affected by Hurricane Mitch in 1998 reported no deaths; this was because a disaster agency had provided gender sensitive training and hazard management activities, and women took over the monitoring of the early warning system, resulting in timely evacuation when the hurricane struck.57 In terms of adaptation, women are often less able to adapt to climate change than men, as they have less education, lower incomes, less rights to property and less access to credit, all of which constrain the capacity to adapt.58 Nonetheless, there are many cases emerging of women adapting to climate change. In studies where flooding has become problematic, women's adaptation coping strategies have included moving to safer places, saving assets, dietary adaptations, energy-saving, adapting agricultural practices and organizing and collective action.59 In Viet Nam, despite women having more social obstacles to overcome to participate in community leadership and disaster risk reduction processes, Oxfam has been supporting men and women in Hai Lang to prepare for and adapt to the flooding season, including coordinating equipment, storing emergency items and maintaining an early warning system; women have been particularly encouraged to participate, and some volunteer teams have achieved more than 50% membership by women.60 However, in other cases women struggle to be involved in decision-making processes, both at the community and national levels. For example, women's involvement in local committees for flood and storm control is limited to childcare and food distribution, rather than participation in decision-making roles.61 Policy and other responses · Gender sensitive and gender specific data on the impact of climate change, vulnerability and adaption priorities should be collected and analyzed, emphasizing the capacities of men and women to adapt and mitigate climate changes, and assessing the potential impacts of policies and programs on men and women. A gender and climate change study currently being implemented by UNDP will address this issue by providing substantive analysis of the gender dimensions of climate change in Viet Nam, 51 Rooke, Anna (2009). 52 Oxfam (2008), p. 42. 53 Rooke, Anna (2009). 54 VASS (2008) `Gender Equality in Viet Nam', Hanoi: VASS. 55 Oxfam (2008), Thanh (2008). 56 Aguilar, Lorena, Ariana Araujo and Andrea Quesada-Aguilar (2008) `Gender and Climate Change', IUCN. 57 Aguilar (2004). 58 Lambrou, Yianna and Grazia Piana (2006) Gender: the Missing Component of the Response to Climate Change, Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization. 59 Dankelman, Irene, et al. (2008) `Gender, Climate Change and Human Security: Lessons from Bangladesh, Ghana and Senegal', New York: WEDO. 60 Oxfam (2008). 61 Thanh (2008). 12 including the gender dimensions of vulnerability and adaptation to climate change impacts, and the gender dimensions of green house gas mitigation actions. · Gender analysis, gender mainstreaming, and gender-sensitive strategies should be incorporated into policy making, legislation and national plans. In Viet Nam, the National Target Program (NTP) on climate change adaption has recognized gender equality as a guiding principle, and women are indentified as an especially vulnerable group, however the different roles, responsibilities and decision- making roles of men and women are not recognized.62 The analysis generated by UNDP's study will again begin to address this issue by informing future climate change planning and policy making processes. · It is also crucial that women are recognized as agents of change, and that strategies are implemented to support women and gender experts in decision-making roles around climate change planning, adaptation and mitigation processes. For example, women's involvement in the development of the NTP has to date been limited; measures should be taken to support women's capacity to contribute at the community level, and to ensure women are included in decision-making processes at the national level. 4. Aid Effectiveness The aid effectiveness agenda ­ framed by the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and, in Viet Nam, the Hanoi Core Statement on Aid Effectiveness ­ has close links to gender equality, as recognized in paragraph 42 of the Paris Declaration. Gender equality and women's empowerment are fundamental cornerstones for achieving development results and the ultimate goals of aid effectiveness, while gender inequalities undermine development effectiveness: "Aid is only effective if it achieves good development results and good development results are not possible in gender inequalities persist...".63 Nonetheless, the experiences of bringing gender into aid effectiveness processes has been mixed. With regards to ownership, attention to gender equality and women's empowerment in analysis, resource allocation, policy formulation and implementation can "help ensure that poverty reduction strategies and other development strategies are more operationally effective and results-driven".64 However, a mapping study of 12 countries found that national development plans and poverty reduction strategies still rarely prioritize gender equality goals and rarely integrate national gender action plans, and when gender equality priorities are incorporated, they continue to evaporate when it comes to sectoral programming and resource allocation.65 This has been attributed in part to the limited capacities of many ministries of finance and planning, sector ministries and women's ministries to undertake gender analysis of policy frameworks. In Viet Nam, the United Nations' Joint Program on Gender Equality is working among government partners and 12 UN agencies to address this issue, providing coordinated and multisectoral technical assistance to line ministries to advance the implementation of the Law on Gender Equality, and to integrate it into government planning processes.66 In terms of alignment, the mapping study found that donor and government commitments to gender equality remain largely unfulfilled with regards to aligning and funding national gender equality priorities.67 Related to this, a general lack of gender-responsive targets and indicators to monitor development results was also identified as a major gap in tracking resources for gender equality; here, gender-responsive budgeting is regarded as a key entry point for strengthening the monitoring and tracking allocations and expenditure for gender equality by governments and donors.68 Another key element of alignment processes is that of budget support mechanisms such as the Poverty Reduction Support Credit (PRSC) process in Viet Nam. While the record on incorporating gender issues into the PRSC in the past has been mixed, donors in 2009 made significant efforts to strengthen their engagement on gender with the PRSC process, analyzing the process to date and developing a strategy for future 62 UNDP (2009) `UNDP Gender and Climate Change Study, Viet Nam', Draft program document, May 2009. 63 Mary Robinson, quoted in OECD (2008a) `Gender Equality, Women's Empowerment and the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness: Issues Brief 1 ­ Making the Linkages', DAC Network on Gender Equality, OECD, July 2008. 64 OECD (2008a). 65 Chiwara, Letty and Maria Karadenizli (2008) `Mapping Aid Effectiveness and Gender Equality: Global Findings,' New York: UNIFEM. 66 See UNIFEM (2007) `Promoting Gender Equality in the Aid Effectiveness Agenda in Asia Pacific: Engaging the Principles of the Paris Declaration,' UNIFEM Discussion Paper, November 2007. 67 Chiwara and Karadenizli (2008). 68 Chiwara and Karadenizli (2008). 13 engagement focusing on support to government partners and aligning gender-related triggers and policy actions with existing national gender priorities.69 Efforts towards harmonization around the world have been more successful, with an increase in government- donor joint analytical work and harmonized programming around gender equality, although the impact of these processes varies greatly.70 Gender equality working groups or partnership groups are a crucial element of this process, and generally require ongoing support from donors and a forward-looking agenda if they are to remain active.71 Successful examples include a harmonized gender audit of organizational systems in Rwanda, and a `division of labour' exercise in Tanzania, whereby donor agencies were appointed as gender contact points for different sectoral working groups.72 In Viet Nam, the key mechanism for harmonization around gender equality is that of the Gender Action Partnership Group (GAP), comprising members of government, donors, UN agencies and civil society organizations working on gender issues. While the functioning of the GAP has been limited somewhat in the last 12 months due to the restructuring of the national gender equality machinery and the establishment of the newly responsible Gender Equality Department, donors and government remain committed to revitalizing and strengthening this group In the move towards managing for development results, it is important to ensure that long-term results ­ such as gender equality ­ do not become marginalized in the effort to identify easily quantifiable and quickly achieved results. The increased focus on managing for results has resulted in many countries in the strengthening of sex- disaggregated statistical data at the country level, although this has not been used systematically to inform policy making nor to monitor outcomes and results.73 Other mechanisms have been developed to help track gender equality results, such as the DAC gender equality policy marker. This marker identifies activities which are focused principally or significantly on achieving gender equality and women's empowerment; sixteen out of 23 DAC member countries reported on the gender equality markers for aid disbursed in 2005-2006.74 Finally, with regards to mutual accountability, donors and development partners can make greater use of international agreements and conventions on gender equality as the basis for policy dialogues and as an accountability measure for citizens,75 including CEDAW, the Beijing Platform for Action and the Millennium Development Goals. There have also been suggestions that aid effectiveness reforms, while strengthening cooperation between donors and governments, may adversely affect donors' relations with civil society; as such, there is a need upscale efforts to work with and support women's civil society organizations in the context of mutual accountability.76 This is especially challenging in Viet Nam due to the as yet nascent and limited nature of civil society.77 Policy and other responses · Donors, the UN and government partners should coordinate their support to build the capacity of key government personnel responsible for gender equality, including where necessary the Gender Equality Department as well as key staff within line ministries. Capacity building should enhance the ability of these staff to effectively analyse and mainstream gender equality issues into programs and national plans, including providing robust analysis for the upcoming National Strategy on Gender Equality for the period 2010-2020, which will becomes a key tool for future aid effectiveness processes around gender. This includes ensuring that key gender issues are reflected, and that proposed indicators are specific and measurable. The UN Joint Program on Gender Equality is currently working among UN agencies and government partners to provide this capacity building. 69 Moser, Annalise (2009) `An Analysis of Gender and the Poverty Reduction Support Credit Process in Viet Nam', Paper written by UNIFEM and commissioned by AusAID and AECID, Hanoi, April 2009. 70 Chiwara and Karadenizli (2008). 71 OECD (2008a). 72 Cited in OECD (2008a). 73 Chiwara and Karadenizli (2008). 74 OECD (2008b) Aid in support of gender equality and women's empowerment 2005-2006, OECD, February 2008. 75 OECD (2008a). 76 OECD (2008a). 77 Eyben, Rosalind (2007) `Gender Equality and Aid Effectiveness Challenges and Opportunities for International Practice: Experiences from South East Asia', Report from a Workshop Organized by DFID, UNIFEM and the World Bank, Bangkok, April 2007. 14 · Government and donor partners should work towards putting in place accountability mechanisms to systematically monitor progress towards gender equality targets set in national and international development strategies and commitments. This includes integrating gender sensitive indicators in performance assessment frameworks in order to monitor the results of development assistance, as well as strengthening national capacities to collect and utilize sex-disaggregated data to feed into the development and monitoring of national policies and strategies. · Gender responsive public financial management (PFM) and gender responsive budgeting initiatives will support aid effectiveness processes, especially in terms of tracking resource allocations and expenditure, and monitoring change to manage for results. Gender responsive budgeting should align with public financial management reforms, and donors that support PFM reforms should include a requirement for gender expertise in terms of reference for technical support. · As one of the principle mechanisms for coordinating gender equality efforts in Viet Nam, the Gender Action Partnership group should strengthen its mandate, roles and processes to enhance its ability to drive the gender equality aspects of the aid effectiveness agenda in the country. 15 PEOPLE'S PARTICIPATION WORKING GROUP Partnership Note, June 2009 Ha Noi, May. 2009 The People's Participation Working Group (PPWG) was established in 1999 as part of a network of thematic development partnership groups. As a partnership group, the PPWG provides inputs to the Consultative Group (CG) meetings held semi-annually between the government and the donor committee. The PPWG is an informal network and forum for international organisations, NGOs, government employees, donors, project managers, consultants, researchers, etc. to meet and exchange information and ideas on issues relating to people's participation, grassroots democracy and civil society. The group is open to all those who are interested in participating and contributing to sharing information and carrying out joint goals and objectives. The PPWG is made up of a voluntary Steering Committe (SC) and a broad group of members representing a wide group of stakeholders. Presently, there are 279 organisations and individuals signed up to the PPWG mailing list, many of which take part in PPWG activities organised by the PPWG SC. The group is coordinated by an elected Chairperson, which is assisted by the SC members. The SC currently consists of 20 members and includes representatives of International and Vietnamese NGOs, UNDP, the World Bank, the Embassy of Finland, and others who meet regularly to organise activities under different thematic task groups, workshops and other events. The current Chairperson is the Vietnamese NGO - Center for Cooperation Human Resource Development (C&D), represented by Director Ms Pham Thuy Anh. The PPWG Mission The mission of the PPWG is to act as a platform to provide people and civil society organisations with opportunities to exchange information, participate and contribute to Vietnam's development and poverty reduction processes. 1. Update on key PPWG activities in 2009 1.1 PPWG Task Groups At the beginning of the 2009 the PPWG Steering Committee agreed continue the work of a number of task groups from 2008 and set up a number of new task groups. As of 2009 the task groups under the PPWG SC includes: · Task Group 151 on Collaborative Groups · Task Group on the changing legal framework for people's participation and civil society. (CS Task Group) · Task Group on Law on Access to Information · Task Group on Anti corruption · Task Group on Local governance 1.2. PPWG Task Group Activities in 2009 Task Group 151 on Collaborative Groups In 2009, PPWG continues its support to the implementation of Decree 151/2007/ND-CP on the organization and operation of collaborative groups at grassroots level. Even though the Decree was approved in 10/10/2007 and MPI has issued the Guiding Circular 04/2008/TT-BKH in July 2008, the implementation of the Decree was reported at very limited scale. Majority of targeted groups were even not aware of the existence of the Decree. In the first quarter of 2009, some member organizations of PPWG conducted a quick assessment on the implementation of 151 Decree in their project areas, including: CARE's survey in Hoa Binh, Bac Kan and Thanh Hoa; Oxfam GB's survey in Ninh Thuan and Lao Cai; and SRD's survey in Phu Tho. Findings from those quick assessment agreed on following conclusions: · Information on 151 Decree hasn't reached the grassroots levels and main target groups of the decree · The dissemination of the decree as well as its circular is only carried out in a limited scope at provincial and district level. · The methods of dissemination are not sufficientrso poor (no documents handed-out, no concrete 16 guidelines) that target groups could not be able to understand and apply the decree in practice · There is no plan to ensure that government agencies that are responsible for dissemination of legal documents are in action. On 24th of March, PPWG and MPI co-organized the workshop entitled "Collaborative Groups Degree in practice and how to promote its implementation". The workshop provides chance for PPWG members to share their experience on implementation of Decree in different localities. In general, most participants agreed with conclusion from the quick assessment that the implementation of Decree 151 was not effective. However, feedback from some Collaborative groups in the South (at PPWG training workshop in August 2008) show that Decree 151 is very importance for the development and operation of CG/CBO at grassroots levels. Some participant also brought to the workshop the experience on how its grassroots partners had been effectively applied Decree 151 to set up CBOs on Mangrove/coastal management. MPI had presented to PPWG members at the workshop the "Implementation plan to disseminate and promote the application of Decree 151" to ensure that the Decree can take effect and bring about intended impact. This plan has the following expected outcomes: · The process of the dissemination of the Decree and its guiding circular is designed and disseminated widely on media means like newspaper, radio, television ... · The guiding book on collaborative groups is compiled and disseminated to local areas containing all these contents: introducing about collaborative groups; roles of the groups in society; advantages of collaborative groups in collaboration; establishment and activities; legal status; collaborative contracts; government's support... · Local authorities at all levels and representatives of collaborative groups have basic understanding on main contents of the Decree and its circular. After the workshop, the task group of PPWG (led by OGB) supported MPI to finalize the plan and develop it as proposal to approach donor for support. PPWG sent out a call to its members to ask for contribution of support in all forms to help MPI in process to implement this plan. On behalf of PPWG, Oxfam GB has signed a funding agreement with MPI for the implementation of this dissemination plan. So far we have some INGO (OGB, CARE, Oxfam America) committed to provide technical and financial support to MPI. In addition, other PPWG's members (RDSC, SRD, VECO, DED, AAV, CODE, ...) have also committed to help to roll out this plan in their project areas. At the moment, MPI has started the designing of dissemination activities in mass media with technical support from PPWG task group. At the same time, MPI will design a handbook and develop training curriculum/material within the time frame of 6 months. The task groups together with MPI is looking for other donors to cover the printing cost of handbooks and well as cost for organizing training in some targeted (poor) communities. Task Group on the Law on Access to Information The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has been assigned by the Government to take lead in drafting the Law on Access to Information. Up to now, a draft law has been formulated. During the drafting process, MOJ has conducted a study on perspectives of government officials (central and local) on access to information. However, for the draft law to better reflect social needs as well as ensure equality in accessing information by citizens and CSOs, it is essential that MOJ do further studies on the needs and current situation of accessing information by such groups. MOJ therefore has suggested and welcome collaboration and supports of PPWG in studying and gathering base-line information for the drafting process, particularly in relation with citizens and CSOs. In response to the call of MOJ, a number of PPWG members organizations and some partners (in the form of a task group) have developed a collaboration plan on this matter, including a study on access to information from the perspectives of citizens and/or CSOs in project sites of PPWG members. In May, 2009 a task group of PPWG led by OGB has been formulated, which includes OGB, AAV, DED, iSEE, CODE, and TT. The task group has set up a concrete work plan specifying division of work, timeframe, people in charge etc. Group members have confirmed contribution (both technical and financial) to this initiative. The WB and some other donors have expressed interest to join and provide both financial and technical support to the task group's effort. The drafting team of MOJ and PPWG task group have agreed to work closely on the study and inputs for the drafting process. The MOJ team will provide inputs to the study (TOR, study design etc), assign staff to join field survey, and jointly organize consultation workshops. The field surveys will be conducted in a number of 17 provinces where PPWG members have been implementing projects. At the moment, the study TOR (objectives, scope of work, timeframe etc) has been finalized and advertised. The study is expected to be carried out in June/July. Workshops to present study findings for comments/feedbacks will be organized in mid-August. The final report would be ready in late August as base- line inputs to the draft law before it is finalized and submitted to the National Assembly in late 2009. It is also planned that PPWG will identify opportunities to forward the study messages to policy makers as well as NA deputies along the process. 1.3. Other activities in 2009 Food for thought gathering: Recent changes in the legal framework for people's participation and civil society To further the exchange between its broad range of members the PPWG organized an new kind of meeting called "Food for Thought" on April 24, which is an informal gathering focusing on a specific topic organized after work hours and with light food and drinks served. The focus April 24 gathering was "Recent changes in the legal framework for people's participation and civil society", which builds on PPWG long term interest in and work on the legislative development within the civil society sector. At the meeting a key-note presentation was given on the recent changes of the legal framework including those in process of being developed, this formed the basis for a discussion among the participation. In the presentation, the note speaker introduced key legal documents relating to civil society organizations (social organizations) in five groups: i) the state overall policies on CSOs development (i.e. the Party Congress resolutions), ii) documents governing basic right to associate and establishment and operation of CSOs (i.e. the Constitution, the Civil code, Law/Decree 52, decree on associations, decree on social and charity funds); iii) documents governing establishment of specific types of CSOs (i.e. Law on Youth, decree on science and technology units, decree on social protection centre, decree on micro finance groups, decree on collaborative groups) ; iv) documents governing issues of budget, finance and tax (i.e. budget law, Personal income tax law, Enterprise income tax law, decree on funding for associations; and v) documents governing specific rights and participation of CSOs (i.e. Law on laws, Ordinance on grassroots democracy, documents on delivery of public services). About 20 items have been listed and more than 50% of these documents have been revised in 2007 and 2008 (randomly chose for a period of latest two years). Some were newly adopted (Decree on collaborative groups) or are ongoing (Law on access to information) The two key messages given by the note speaker as "food for thought" were: How many participants were aware of these changes and/ or had chance to engage in contributing to drafts of the revised documents; and what they should do to enhance their or people participation and contribution in the law/ policy making process. 2. PPWG Activities planned for the 2nd half of 2009 During the 2 half of 2009 the different task groups under the PPWG will continue to organize activities in relation to the following themes and issues: · Decree 151 on Collaborative Groups · Law on Access to Information · The changing legal framework for people's participation and civil society. (CS taskforce) · Anti corruption · Local governance The PPWG will organize thematic 2 workshops in the 2nd half of 2009. The PPWG is planning to focus one of these workshops on preparing an input for the Asean People's Forum, which will be held in Vietnam 2009. Finally, the PPWG will also organize to more "Food for Thought" gatherings in the 2nd half of 2009, the issue of each of these two meeting will be announced later. 18 I SGE International SUPPORT GROUP FOR NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT PARTNERSHIP NOTE Buon Ma Thuot, June 8-9, 2009 A. OVERVIEW Since 2008, the International Support Group for Natural Resources & Environment (ISGE) has entered a new era when its objectives and organizational set-up are modified to keep up with fast-changing needs of Vietnam's socio-economic development in general and of natural resources and environment (NRE) sector development in particular. As a result, the Framework Agreement (FA) between the Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment (MONRE) and the Embassies of Denmark, Sweden and Canada for ISGE's organizational structure as well as operation for the phase of 2008-2010 has been worked out and officially signed by the end of June 2008. In accordance with the FA, the overall objective of the ISGE in the period of 2008-2010 is to contribute to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of development assistance and other funding to the NRE sector in line with government policies and priorities through a partnership approach and to contribute actively to sector, the implementation of the national priorities in the sector, in accordance with the principles and methods embodied in the Hanoi Core Statement on Aid Effectiveness. In order to well achieve the overall as well as specific objectives set forth by ISGE's Workplan for the phase 2008-2010, in 2009 instead of spreading support for all objectives, ISGE intensively focuses its spreading facilitation on assisting MONRE and its relevant involved Departments/Units in following objectives: · To assist MONRE through facilitating policy dialogue on natural resources management and environmental protection among ministries, departments, businesses, NGOs and civil society; · To help channel resources to the highest priority concerns, while minimizing overlap. The effort would be to increase the levels and diversify the resources of funding for environmental activities as well as programs; · To strengthen comprehensively the management capacity of MONRE to ensure promotion of wide ranging and in-depth working linkages on the environment across sectors and between different levels of government; B. ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS 2009 1. Facilitation of Policy Dialogue Platform Instead of continually focusing on promotion of Thematic Adhoc Groups (TAG), which were just comprehensive confined within three themes of water resources, comprehensive poverty reduction and growth strategy (CPRGS) in articulation to environment protection, and capacity building for NRE sector, ISGE has entered into its new operational phase of 2008-2010. Since 2008, the policy dialogue platform (PDP) becomes more dynamic opened operation for adequate facilitation of MONRE's relevant Departments/Units so as to effectively address emerged problems, prioritized policies and significant programs related to NRE sector. As a result, in general four PDPs are focused by MONRE in 2009, and some activities regarding PDP have been carried out during the first 6 months of 2009 as following: 19 Policy dialogue on climate change The Department of Hydrometeorology and Climate Change has been actively facilitating involved stakeholders to host the workshop on publicity of climate change scenario to implement the NTP-RCC to the line ministries, international organizations and relevant involved stakeholders in June 2009. Policy dialogue on environmental protection By the end of June, the Institute for Science of Environment Management (ISEM)/VEA is going to host a consultation workshop on scientific research strategy for environment management under the context of industrialization as well as modernization in Vietnam. Policy dialogue on water resources Although the Prime Minister has approved the National Water Resources Strategy to 2020, and the MONRE has been assigned to perform State administration on water resources, Vietnam has been facing many challenges on its way to achieve integrated water resources management and to ensure water supply for social-economic development. In this context, the Policy Dialogue Platform on water resources (PDPW) has been proposed to be established and chaired by the Department of Water Resources Management (DWRM) under MONRE so as to facilitate information sharing and to ensure a well- coordinated approach to Water Resources in Viet Nam. The PDPW started its operation in mid December 2008. During the first six months 2009, the DWRM is under its preparation in order to host a workshop on planning, management and survey of water resource. Policy dialogue on Building Capacity for NRE A Workshop to kick off PDP on capacity building for NRE sector was carried out on March 17th 2009 so that project proposal "Marine international cooperation towards 2020" and project proposal "Strengthening capacity of state management system on seas and islands, program of "Legislation formulation of NRE" and program on "Administrative procedures reform in NRE sector" were shared and got consultation from participants at the workshop. 2. Plenary meeting Annual Plenary Meeting was held on January 15th, 2009. Through this meeting, donors and line ministries have been informed about MONRE's NTP on Sustainable Management of Water Resources. 3. Monitoring and evaluation (harmonizing government and donor practices and procedures) By the end of March 2009, the annual auditing for MONRE's fiscal year of 2008 was conducted. In Addition, the auditing results of ISGE's fiscal year of 2008 were approved and reported to ISGE's key donors. 4. Facilitation of strengthening MONRE's management capacity During the first 6 months of 2009, VASI, ISPONRE, DHMCC, DWRM and other involved departments of MONRE have been effectively facilitated so as to prepare their training needs assessment as well as training plan, which should be finalized by the end of 2009. 5. Sharing, exchanging and disseminating information on NRE-related activities The two quarterly issues of ISGE newsletter have been released and sent to related organizations and individuals. MONRE's documents as well as news on dialogue process and ODA-related activities have been constantly updated on ISGE's website. In addition, a matrix of climate change initiatives carried out in Vietnam is being constantly updated as well as kept up on ISGE's website. 6. Strengthening ISGE's operational capacity Apart from an accountant contributed by MONRE, at the beginning of September 2008, a post of ISGE's coordinator has been officially recruited by January 1st 2009. 20 C. COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIP ACTIVITIES Apart from the activities carried out within the FA for ISGE's operation for the period of 2008-2010, during the first half of 2009, MONRE also has carried out some cooperation as well as partnership activities as following: - MONRE's documents as well as news on dialogue process and ODA-related activities have been constantly updated on ISGE's website. In addition, a matrix of climate change initiatives carried out in Vietnam is being constantly updated as well as kept up on ISGE's website. - With regard to the JICA support for Vietnam, on 26th March 2009, ISPONRE/MONRE has organized a Consultation Workshop on National Strategy of 3 R (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle of waste). During the workshop, the draft national strategy of 3 R has been informed to participants from line ministries included the Ministries of Construction, Health and Agriculture and Rural Development. The consultation as well as recommendations for the national strategy of 3 R have been gathered as well as compiled so as to develop the final version of the national strategy of 3 R. - In mid of April 2009, MONRE has engaged in active facilitation of JICA's mission from Tokyo so as to initiate its very first formulation stage of Climate Change Program Loan (CCPL) in Vietnam, whose objective is to support the implementation of climate change related policies and strategies based on the NTP-RCC. During the last two weeks of April, MONRE has arranged and facilitated a range of meetings for Tokyo-based JICA mission with MONRE as well as other involved ministries so that the JICA's mission could comfortably work with CCPL-related partners in Vietnam. - Within the framework of FMM 9 (the 9th Foreign Ministers Meeting), to the ASEM-Entrepreneur Dialogue on Asia-European Economic Cooperation held in Ho Chi Minh city MONRE has presented the theme of "Sustainable development of natural resources and environment within the framework of Vietnam-EU comprehensive partnership and cooperation" as its contribution to the dialogue, in May 6, 2009. During the FMM 9 held in Hanoi, 25-26 May 2009, MONRE was actively engaged in the meeting co-chair statement under the overarching theme of "Forging a Close Asia-Europe Partnership to address the financial and Economic Crisis and Other Global Challenges", in addition, the Minister of MONRE has given a brief report on the global challenge of climate change. Furthermore, at the meeting the "Cooperation initiative on climate change and adaptation measures" was also proposed by MONRE. - By the end of March, in relation to the NTP-RCC, a final consultative workshop of the scenario on climate change and sea level rise was organized by IMHEM/MONRE. In relation to the CD4-CCFP project, with regard to raising awareness of climate change for MONRE's cadres at central as well as local level, by the end of April in Ninh Binh Township MONRE has arranged a workshop of the impact of climate change on water resources and coastal ecosystem, and responding measures. Furthermore, by the end of May 2009 in Sapa, MONRE also has held a workshop of climate change, formulation and implementation process of development strategy and plan in NRE sector. These activities are under the CD4-CCFP project, which have been funded by Danida. - Finally, since February 2009, ICD/MONRE has initiated its cooperation with MARD so as to learn about the piloting initiative of sustainable public procurement (SPP) carried out by ICD/MARD so that the SPP lessons learnt from ICD/MARD should be considered by MONRE, in terms of piloting SPP implementation in NRE sector. D. CONTINUING ACTIVITIES IN THE SECOND HALF OF 2009 Regarding to cooperation as well as partnership activities, the forthcoming activities carried out in the second half of 2009 should be referred to the ISGE's Workplan of the second half 2009 as following: 21 ISGE WORKPLAN- SECOND HALF 2009 Objective 1: Facilitating policy dialogue on natural resources and environment (NRE) issues Output 1.1. Policy Dialog Platforms (PDPs) on NRE issues established and activated to assist MONRE in developing policies on NRE management and protection Specific Activities Method (M) Indicator (I) Cont (C) Timing Support establishment of PDP on Environment Protection 1.1.2. Facilitate Institute for Science of ISGE/ICD and VEA A final draft of As above September Environment Management (ISEM)/VEA to host of MONRE coordinate scientific research consultation workshops on scientific research relevant stakeholders strategy for strategy for environment management under the environment context of industrialization as well as management modernization in Vietnam 1.1.3. Facilitate VEA to finalize concept notes and ISGES/S, ICD and Final draft of As above August host a workshop of establishment proposal for VEA in collaboration concept notes for East Asia Center for Environmental Research, with relevant the establishment Training and Communication (ACERTC) stakeholders to finalize of ACERTC the concept notes for the establishment of ACERTC Establishment of PDP on Sustainable Management of Water resources 1.1.4. Facilitate Department of Water Resources ISGE coordinates with Docs, reports As above July Management (DWRM) to host workshops on DWR and involved planning, management and survey of water departments of resources MONRE 1.1.5. Facilitate Department of Water Resources ISGE coordinates with Docs, report As above August Management (DWRM) to host a workshop for DWR and involved publicity of action plan on NTP of water resources departments of MONRE Objective 2: Integration of NRE issues into the Government's plans and programs at the central and local levels Output 2.1. Top priorities identified during PDPs integrated into plans and programs of NRE sector, both central and local levels Specific Activities Method (M) Indicator (I) Cont (C) Timing 2.1.1. To facilitate Dept. of Planning & ISPONRE ISGE, Department of Assessment report, As above Cross half- to finalize the NRE sector review of 5-year plan in Planning takes the lead list of priorities yearly the period of 2006-2010 and identification of top and participation of all priorities for 5-year plan of NRE sector in the agencies, units of period of 2011-2015 MONRE, and ISPONRE 2.1.2. To facilitate Dept. of Planning & ISPONRE ISGE coordinates Docs, procedure As above Cross half- to work out, share and get consultation regarding MONRE's relevant yearly procedure/method for integration of stakeholders to work environmental priorities into NRE sector's out the procedure; Department of Planning 22 forthcoming plans and programs and ISPONRE Objective 4: Resources for NRE activities are well channeled to minimize overlap, and funding resources to environment activities are diversified Output 4.1. Database (list of) of ODA environment programs and projects updated and disseminated within MONRE's Depts./units, donor communities and stakeholders Specific Activities Method (M) Indicator (I) Cont (C) Timing 4.1.1. Hosting (WB) database on climate change ISGE/S to maintain Updated Climate As above Cross half- projects, maintaining and regularly updating ODA and update Climate Change and ODA and yearly projects list Change and ODA project list MONRE's database on ISGE database Centre of website Information Output 4.2. An agreement on cooperation between ISGE and PGAE drafted and signed 4.2.1. Discuss and agree with PGAE on draft ISGE/S in Agreement signed As above July content of the agreement (EIA/SIA) collaboration with by ISGE and PGAE to coordinate PGAE for procedures for EIA/SIA development of draft agreement Output 4.3 NRE priorities identified and disseminated to stakeholders 4.3.1 Coordinate PDPs meetings with participation ISGE/S and PDPs to ISGE website, As above Cross half- of NGO, donor community and relevant disseminate information relevant yearly stakeholders through ISGE website, documents and newsletters, meetings, newsletters and workshops Objective 5: To provide assistance in harmonizing government and donor practices and procedures including those relating to reporting and auditing requirement Output 5.1.Gov and donor procedures relating to reporting and auditing in NRE sector are reviewed, recommendation of procedure and format harmonization are proposed through CGs and PRSC/HSC Specific Activities Method (M) Indicator (I) Cont (C) Timing 5.1.1. To facilitate relevant MONRE's Dept. to ISGE/ICD, MONRE's Review report, As above Cross half- initiate reviewing government procedures related to relevant Dept., consultation and yearly NRE reporting and auditing requirements and international donors list of comments collect comments from involved stakeholders with their support of a review team and/or review expert, if it is possible 5.1.2.To facilitate DHMCC so as to work out a ISGES/S, ICD, Clear modality of As above Cross half- clear outline/guideline for circulars regarding Department of Hydro- NTP funding yearly implementation of NTPCC, which has meteorology & Climate mechanism disbursement fund from government and donors Change (DHMCC), international donors and MONRE's relevant stakeholders Output 5.2. Pilot demonstration of reporting and auditing procedures on NRE referred and integrated with donors' 23 reporting and auditing procedure implemented 5.2.1.To facilitate relevant Dept of MONRE so as Department of Accounting and As above Cross half- to provide proposal (in relation to NTPCC) of Planning and reporting yearly reporting and auditing procedure in reference with Department of Finance procedures in donors ones, takes the lead, ISGE/S harmonizing and consultation of government involved stakeholders requirements and (one international in reference to consultant should be donors ones based in ISGE's office so as to facilitate the deal, if it is possible) 6. To strengthen comprehensively the management capacity of MONRE to ensure promotion of wide ranging and in- depth working linkages on the environment across sectors and between different levels of government Output 6.1 MONRE staff capacity strengthened in wide ranging and in-dept working linkages on the environment across and between different levels of government agencies through training Specific Activities Method (M) Indicator (I) Cont (C) Timing 6.1.1. To facilitate MONRE's Dept./Units ISGE/S, ICD, and the TNA report and As above Cross half- including Water Resources Management, Land involved training plan yearly Resources Management, Legislation, DHMCC, Departments./Units of VASI and others so as to fulfill training needs MONRE assessment for the targeted officials, then to develop training plans based on the Output 6.2 Capacity of MONRE staff enhanced through formulation process of legal documents, policies, strategies and plan 6.2.1.To facilitate targeted Dept. of MONRE ISGE to cooperate with Documents and as above Cross half- (Ministry Office, VEA, VASI, ISPONRE, Vietnam MONRE's relevant reports yearly Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources departments and and others) through consultation, legal and policy ministries training/workshops Objective 7: To promote active involvement of non-government organizations (NGOs), community groups and the private sector in environment programmes Output 7.1. A procedure to facilitate involvement of NGOs, community groups and private sector in environment programs developed 7.1.1.Refer to Objective one Objective 8: To provide a forum for all partners to share and exchange information to the benefit of integration and enhancement of environmental activities Output 8.1. Workshops and forums to exchange information and lesson learned established 8.1.1.Refer to Objective one Objective 9: To consolidate supporting arrangements Output 9.1. ISGE Secretariat capacity strengthened 24 9.1.1. Strengthening ISGE's working staff: ISGE/S and donors ToR & CV Secretary, Communication Officer and Coordinator 9.1.2. Office equipment procurement (included ISGE/S to undertake List of office inventory & upgrade of some equipments equipments/facilities) and running cost: procured and communication, stationery, repair/maintenance, travel vouchers local travel; ACRONYMS: - ASEM Asia-Europe Summit Meeting - CCPL Climate Change Program for Loan - C MONRE's in kind contribution included ISGE's office and part of HR - CD4-CCFP Capacity Development for Climate Change Focal Point - DWRM Department of Water Resources Management - DHMCC Department of Hydrometeorology and Climate Change - Danida Danish International Development Agency - FA Framework Agreement - FMM Foreign Ministers Meeting - I Indicators of Verification - IMHEM Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Environment - ISPONRE Institute of Strategy and Policy for Natural Resources and Environment - M Method of Cooperation - MONRE Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment - NRE Natural Resources and Environment - ISGE/S ISGE Secretariat - ICD Department of International Cooperation - ISEM Institute for Science of Environment Management - NTP National Target Program - NTP-RCC National Target Program to Respond to Climate Change - MARD Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development - PDP Policy Dialogue Platform - SPP Sustainable Public Procurement - VEA General Department of Environment Administration - VASI General Department of Seas and Islands Administration of Vietnam Contact address: International Support Group for Natural Resources and Environment Room 215, 83 Nguyen Chi Thanh, Hanoi Tel: 04-37735510; Fax: 04-37735509 Email: isgemonre@fpt.vn; Website: www.isge.monre.gov.vn 25 FOREST SECTOR SUPPORT PARTNERSHIP (FSSP) The Forest Sector Support Partnership (FSSP or the Forestry Partnership) is a broad framework for collaboration between the Government of Vietnam and all stakeholders, who are interested in the forest sector in Vietnam. The FSSP Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed in November 2001, and runs through 2010. In 2006, the Forestry Partnership agreed to support implementation of the Vietnam Forestry Development Strategy (VFDS, 2006-2020), which was approved by the Prime Minister in February 2007. FSSP provides a valuable tool for the Government, other national partners, and international partners to exchange information and views on strategic sector issues. The Partnership serves as a channel for coordinating dialogues and technical reviews of important issues, such as the 2004 revision of the Forest Protection and Development Law, other legal documents, the forest sector 5-year plan (2006-2010), and the Vietnam Forestry Development Strategy. The Partnership conducts this dialogue through meetings of its Partnership Forum, Partnership Steering Committee, Technical/Executive Committee, Regional Forestry Networks, and more informal exchanges, including "virtual" or online dialogue, i.e. policy and technical review feedback from international partners via email. This report is prepared by the FSSP Coordination Office (FSSP CO), serving as the secretariat for the Forestry Partnership and the day-to-day management unit of the Trust Fund for Forests (TFF), which is supported by several FSSP partners. The report provides an update on major forest sector works and Forest Sector Support Partnership activities during the first six months of 2009 and some key activities planned for the second half of 2009. Implementation of the Sector Strategy. The Partnership supports the implementation of the Vietnam Forestry Development Strategy. The implementation process is organized according to the five major programs of the Strategy: · Program 1: Sustainable Forest Management and Development; · Program 2: Forest Protection, Biodiversity Conservation, and Delivery of Environmental Services; · Program 3: Forest Product Processing and Trade; · Program 4: Research, Education, Training, and Extension; and · Program 5: Renovating Forestry Institutions, Policy, Planning and Monitoring Viet Nam Forestry Development Strategy (2006 ­ 2020) which has undergone two years of implementation and as per regulated by the Prime Minister, the first review mission shall be conducted in 2009. By which, in May 2009, leaders of MARD has directed sub-committees to develop a review plan in order to: - Review the Forestry Sector management activities and results of implementation of the Viet Nam Forestry Development Strategy at national and local levels. - Identify and analyze difficulties and constraints that encountered by localities during the implementation of the Strategy in recent period and future challenges. - Review social, economic and environment effectiveness and efficiency in forestry sector (based on the criteria of the Strategy) and impacts of the implementation of the Strategy, especially impacts of the forestry sector in fighting out poverty and its contribution to the national, local economies and international trading; - Propose directions, priorities and key indicators for implementation of the Strategy in the coming five-year period (2011-2015). With commitment in implementation of the Strategy, FSSP CO and partners shall make financial and technical contributions to this review. Besides, the following sections shall provide an update of important progress of the forestry sector in recent period, especially highlights shall be made to the activities which supported by Forest Sector Support Partnership (FSSP). 26 Program 1: Sustainable Forest Management and Development This program is one of the three programs in Viet Nam Forestry Development Strategy (2006-2020), with the objectives of sustainable and effective management, development and utilization of forests in order to meet the demands for forest products consumption domestically and internationally, which shall then contribute to the growth of national economy, social stabilization, especially at mountainous and ethnic regions, at the same time ensure the roles of watershed, bio-diversity conservation and provision of environmental services, and contribute to sustainable development of the country. Sustainable forest management and issuance of forest certificates Viet Nam has become an exporter of wood furniture in the world market with an annual growth rate of over 20% in recent years and a revenue in 2008 constituted nearly 2.8 billion USD. At the same period of time, the demand of wood furniture made from forests, that have been delivered with sustainable management and forest certificates, has increased which has made wood processing sector in Viet Nam becomes an importer of wood (wood import value in 2007 was over 1 billion USD) which resulted in higher costs in processing and reduced competitive advantages of the sector in the world markets. National forestry development Strategy comprises of five specific objectives, of which there are objectives in sustainable management, protection, development and utilization of 16.24 million hectares of forested land area with 30% of production forest area which have been issued with sustainable forest management certificates in 2020. Sustainable forest protection and development for present and future generations through searching and adaptation of measures for sustainable management, including forest certification is one of the measures that has been prioritized by the forestry sector. Department of Forestry is currently coordinating with other related agencies to develop sustainable forest management plan. Review and planning of three types of forests and allocation of forests In respond to the direction of the Prime Minister in the announcements No 200/TB-VPCP dated August 8th 2008, No 266/TB-VPCP September 23rd 2008 and Letter No 6791/VPCP-KTN dated October 10th 2008 of the Government Office, MARD has completed the report and submitted to the Government for reporting to the National Assembly on the results of review and planning of three types of forests by the Direction No 38/2005/CT-TTG dated December 5th 2005 of the Prime Minister. This is the summary of the results of the review and planning of three types of forests as follow: Special-used forest: 2,199,342 hectares Protection forest: 5,552,327 hectares Production forest: 8,495,823 hectares The planning of three types of forests showed that special used forest constitutes 14%, protection forest accounts for 34% and production forest comprises 52%, this planning is relevant to the Viet Nam Forestry Development Strategy for 2006-2020 which has been approved by the Prime Minister at Decision No 18/2007/Q -TTg dated 05/02/2007 and direction of provincial socio-economic development planning. The Five Million Hectare Reforestation Program (EMHRP) also known as Project 661) is a national target program for forestry sector which is mostly funded by government budget. This Program promotes plantation of production forests and sound management of special-used forest and protection forest. Session 2 of the X National Assembly has passed through Resolution on Five Million Hectare Reforestation. In enforcement of the Resolution of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister issued Decision No 661 Q /TTg dated 29/7/1998 on objectives, tasks, mechanisms and implementation of this EMHRP. Plantation of production forests: based on Decision No 147/2007/Q -TTg of the Prime Minister on implementation of some policies to support development of production forests for 2007 ­ 2015, state budget only reserved for plantation of 50,000 hectares via supporting for households each received an average of 2 million VND/ha. In 2008, total production forest planted was 193,479 hectares. Thus, there were about 143,000 hectares have been planted with other capital sources from different economic patterns. This is a good sign, especially good for provinces where located processing mills and nearby material supply for paper mills or forest products processing factories. Achievements in 2008: - Contracted for special used forest and watershed forest protection: 2,330,202 ha/1,550,300 of the plan, which equivalent to 150.3% of the plan. - Natural re-generation zoning: 636,324 ha/585,600 of the plan, constituted 108.7% (of which, new areas of natural re-generation: 164,174 ha and continued natural re-generation: 472,150 ha). - Newly planted forests: 234,004 ha/ 201,500 ha of the plan, comprised 116.1% of the plan, of which: o Plantation of special-used forest and watershed: planted 40,525 ha/41,500 ha of the plan, constituted 97.7%. 27 o Plantation of production forests: planted 193,479 ha/160,000 ha of the plan, constituted 120.9 %. Total budget for reforestation in 2008 was: 4,115 billion VND, of which, State budget: 820 billion VND, credit loans: 41.274 billion VND, ODA funds: 365.956 billion VND, self-invested amounts of the enterprises and local people: 2,887.77 billion VND. Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) Deforestation and forest degradation contribute to 15-20% of total green house gas emissions caused by all accumulative economic sectors. This is one of critical cause of the increase in green house gas effects which leads to climate change. Seeing the importance of reducing deforestation and forest degradation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development pays a special concern and highly supports in the implementation of REDD Program and involves in Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) managed by the World Bank. At the moment, Viet Nam is one of the six countries in the world has been selected to involve in FCPF and UN- REDD. Program 2: Forest Protection, Biodiversity Conservation, and Delivery of Environmental Services. This program focuses on supporting forest protection and conservation of biological diversity, and thus has a major emphasis on protection and special-used forests. It also supports ongoing work relating to Payment for Environmental Services (PES). MARD's Department of Forest Protection is the focal point for this program. Forest Protection Forest protection management and biodiversity conservation are receiving high concern by the Government, Ministries, Sectors and authorities at various levels. Many policies have been implemented to provide supports and priorities to forest workers in general and for ethnic minorities who live in and/or nearby the forests. Related agencies from Ministries, sectors and authorities at national and local levels and especially the forest rangers and foresters who have paid much concern and proactively involved in forest protection and nature conservation, thus this has made significant contributions to the implementation of tasks and timely prevent violations to laws on forest protection and forest fire in the country. Biodiversity Conservation and Delivery of Environmental Services Biodiversity conservation has been enhanced, legal basis and regulations for any activity conducted at special- used forests are being accomplished. MARD issued Decision No 104/2007/QD-BNN dated 27/12/2007 on enforcement of Regulations for management of eco-tourism activities at National Parks, Nature Reserves; Decision No 2370/Q /BNN-KL dated 05/8/2008 on approval of the Plan for development and improvement of infrastructure of the special-used forest system in Viet Nam for 2008- 2020. Besides, the review of three types of forests have helped to clearly demarcate the special-used forest areas, this contributed to reduce land dispute, and stabilized the function of these special-used forest areas. Payment of environmental services: Decision No 380/Q -TTg dated 10/4/2008 on piloting payment of forest environment services is a break-through policy which contributes to promote and socialize forest protection and development. This shall gradually be the economic basis that contributes to improved livelihoods and awareness of local communities and this helps to enhance forest protection and development, environment & biological protection, especially secure water sources for irrigation and hydro power generation. Types of environment services piloted consist of: water sources regulation and supply; soil protection, minimization of soil erosion, and ecotourism services. After one year piloted in Lam Dong and Son La, a payment norm for forest environment service have been developed and proposed with a payment rate for forest environment service of minimum 100,000 VND/ ha of forest for power plants. Program 3: Forest product processing and trade This Program objectives are to produce sustainable forest and non-timber forest products with competitive ability in the world market; apply of advanced and environment friendly technologies in production to meet consumption demand both in the country and internationally; develop of forest products processing to become a key economic activity in the forestry sector. The major tasks of this Program is to organize and manage wood processing industry and non-timer forest products processing to have sound production capacity which is corresponding to sustainable supply of raw materials; strengthen production capacity in forest product processing to satisfy both domestic and export markets. The above objectives and tasks are planned ahead to 2020, at which, non-timer forest products shall become a key goods production which constitutes 20% of total revenue of forestry production, value of NTFP exports increases averagely from 15% to 20%; generates 1.5 million employments and income from NTFP which constitutes 15-20% of rural household income. 28 In the past years, forest products processing and export in Viet Nam has made great progress with significant increase in production and export values. Nonetheless, in 2008 and early months of 2009 and forecast of coming period, forest products processing and trading shall face difficulties and challenges causing by impacts of economic crisis. MARD has actively involved and coordinated with related stakeholders to carry out measures to help forest products production and processing enterprises to overcome difficulties. Program 4: Research, Education, Training and Extension (RETE) This program, is one of two Programs, supports the implementation of Forestry Development Strategy (2006- 2020) with the objectives are to improve quality and effectiveness of research, education, training and extension activities in order to develop qualified human resource for forestry sector. Takes science and technology as the basis for sector development, create links among research and training with production and markets to enhance contributions to the growth of forest economy, protect environment and improve living standard for foresters. One of the key focuses of the Program is to create linkage among research ­ education, training ­ extension. Management changes in Science and technology are made. There emerges the research programs in agriculture and forestry sector, the 5MHRP, inter-sectors research program coordinated by Ministry of Science and Technology, and research projects conducted by programs, projects and international organizations. Especially, there appears some research programs ordered by manufacturers, of which proposed research requested by Non-State enterprises in forest products processing sector, typically research contracts initiated by forest farms on seedlings and diseases prevention and control for forest trees. On July 1st 2008, MARD issued Decision No 78/2008-Q -BNN on approval of Forestry Research Strategy in Viet Nam to 2020, which is developed with financial and technical contributions from research institutions who are members of FSSP. The main contents of this research Strategy include: - Forestry research by survey, and assessment of forest resources to shift from mainly forest exploitation and utilization into other aspects for a sustainable and multi-objectives forestry. - From application research to a combination of basic research and applied research and technology development, enhanced application of advanced technology and modern technology from other countries. - Priorities given to effective use of barren lands and hills, intensive forest plantation; - Forestry research implies inter-sectors and multi-sectors research, of which economic, society and policy issues are more concerned in order to meet the demand of forestry production and socialization. - International relations in forestry research are expanding and at larger scale, and more diversified cooperation, which contribute to improve capacity and the role of Viet Nam forestry research toward region and in the world. Program 5: Renovation of forestry policy, institutional, planning and monitoring This Program aims at creating a sound legal environment for forestry activities in the direction of markets and world integration, larger involvement of households, community and private sectors; enhance organizational system and improve planning and monitoring of forestry sector. Legal documents issued in 2008 have institutionalized policies, directions and laws of the Government in the forestry sector, these help to provide a legal framework for resolving difficulties and obstacles encountered in the implementation of forestry management. These legal documents that issued in 2008 focus on the following main issues: · Enhance measures for implementation of 5MHRP, adjust payment norm for plantation of special-use, protection forests in the 5MHRP; improve National Steering Committee for this 5MHRP. · Establish Fund for Forest Protection and Development, piloting payments for forest environment services. · Functions, missions and authorities of Department of Forestry, Department of Forest Protection and Department of agriculture, forestry, fishery commercial processing and salt production. · Economic and technical norms for forest contract, rent, and land certificates for forestry purposes in line with forest management profile. · Instructions on forest planning, forest protection and development. Aiming at strengthening organizational structure of the Sector, MARD is preparing a Proposal to submit to the Prime Minister on formation of General Department of Forestry so as to consolidate and rigorous arrange the organizational structure of existing forestry management agencies under MARD. By this Proposal, General Department of Forestry shall be an agency under MARD which shall commence State management of forestry and implement forestry public services as per regulated by the Laws. 29 In 2008, with assistance from the Government of Finland and TFF, Department of Forestry has coordinated with related agencies to develop a Technical Assistance Project on "Forestry Sector Information Technology System". MARD is verifying this Project and is preparing procedures for approval. Partnership Secretariat (FSSP Coordination Office). The functions of the Partnership secretariat, or FSSP Coordination Office, are organized according to 4 major result areas: (1) coordination activities; (2) communications and information activities; (3) functioning, or day-to-day management, of the Trust Fund for Forests; and (4) management of the FSSP Coordination Office. Main activities implemented by the Partnership and FSSP CO in the first half of 2009 Coordination activities · Technical Executive Committee (TEC): The 39th meeting was organized on December 19th 2008. The meeting focused on assessment of implementation of activities and budget expenditure for 2008 and work planning and budgeting for 2009. TEC also discuss on the agenda of the 2009 Annual FSSP Meeting organized in January 2009. · Annual FSSP Meeting was organized on January 15th 2009. Attended the meeting, there were over 100 participants from related agencies of the Government at national and provincial levels, mutual and multilateral organizations, INGOs and representatives from private sector. At the meeting, a report on Forestry Sector Development in 2008 was presented by Vice Minister ­ Hua Duc Nhi which provided an overall picture of the progress of forestry sector of Viet Nam in 2008 through the implementation of Viet Nam Forestry Development Strategy. In the meeting, MARD and partners has managed policy dialogues on Sector development issues. · Six Regional Forestry Networks: o RFN meetings in the first half of 2009: with supports from FSSP, six RFN meetings ((the Northeast, Northwest, the Northern and Southern of the Central Part, Central Highland and the Southern Part) were organized during March and April 2008. At the meetings, members of networks shared information and discussed on regional forestry activities and issues related to implementation of forestry Projects in the regions. o Besides, in finding support resources from partners who operates in various regions, FSSP CO has gradually transferred the operation of two networks of the Highland and Central regions to two projects, these are FLITCH (Forests for Livelihood Improvement in the Central Highlands) and PPFP (Pro-poor Forestry project in North Central Agro-Ecological Zone). These two projects are expected to proactively play the leading roles in supporting the activities of these two regional networks. · Support the 5 Coordination Sub-committees of the Vietnam Forest Development Strategy. As mentioned above, in 2009, FSSP CO and partners shall actively involve in and support the Review/Assessment of the Strategy after two years of implementation, this Review is planned to start from May to July 2009. The results of this Review shall be important inputs for the development of the five-year work plan (2010 ­ 2015) of the sector and shall be shared among related stakeholders. · Other activities coordination: FSSP has made a number of coordination and information sharing among programs, Ministries, Sectors, Partner Organizations and Experts. o National Workshop "Create linkages among forest conservation, economic development and poverty reduction ­ Issues and Approaches in Viet Nam" was the results of the cooperation between Department of Forestry and two International Research Institutes (ICRAF and CIFOR), and with supports from FSSP via the CO. The workshop has drawn attention from management and research institutions as well as donors. o REDD coordination meeting was organized in April 2009 to find out collaboration mechanisms among related partners in operation of REDD activities in Viet Nam. After the meeting, agreement on establishment of a Working Group on REDD with representatives from related stakeholders. Terms of Reference of the Working Group is being prepared and shared. The first REDD Working Group meeting to be held in June 2009. 30 o Supports provided to Local NGOs in accessing financial funds of the National Forestry Program through FAO. To date, 05 proposals accredited from NFP with total amount close to 200,000 USD. Through these funds, many research and survey activities have been implemented. Communication and information activities. · Forest Sector Monitoring and Information Systems (FOMIS). o An open-accessed database has been built to manage the system of index and analyzed data. Web - GIS applied software has been built to upload data, reports and maps to the website. o 2007 and 2008 data has been being collected and updated to the sector - supervising index system. o The database for forestry legal documents is being developed with web interface. It will be the place for storing and sharing legal documents of the forest sector with bilingual interfaces and documents. · Communication: The FSSP CO continues to promote information sharing through its routine activities, such as its website, and briefing for a number of visitors about Partnership and sector activities. o The FSSP Newsletter volume 22 - 23 focused on "Sustainable forest management and forest certification" was prepared and distributed to partners and related departments and provinces at the Annual Meeting held in January 2009. At the moment, FSSP CO is preparing contents for the next volume which focuses on "Forest Carbon Financial Opportunities". o Information on Forestry Sector and FSSP activities were disseminated via collaboration with partners and mass media, i.e. VTV, VOV, newspapers. o FSSP website is maintained with updated FSSP and Trust Fund for Forest (TFF) activities. The upgrade of FSSP website has been completed. The improved version of the FSSP website has been running. Trust Fund for Forests (TFF) From 2009, TFF shall work on five major areas: (1) Strategic Planning, (2) Fund Mobilization and Donor Relationship, (3) Capacity building and management tools, (4) Funds utilization and Management of projects, (5) Work Planning and Reporting. · Strategic Planning: this includes long-term vision that TFF plan to achieve, relationship of TFF with Viet Nam Fund for Forests (VNFF), define the position of TFF in forestry sector and ODA sources, the roles of TFF in the Viet Nam Forestry Development Strategy and challenges in climate changes. As per agreement between MARD and donors, the second review of TFF shall be carried out in May 2009 to develop and agreement made among MARD and donors on "Future Route". In order to assess the roles of TFF in Viet Nam forestry sector, including the roles of the Fund in FSSP, as well as assess TFF operation toward its objectives and expected results, and provide specific and practical recommendations for decision makers and related stakeholders on measures to improve effectiveness and efficiency of TFF activities, independent Review Mission shall conduct the review during May 7th to June 30th 2009. · Fund Mobilization and Donor Relations: This work area of TFF comprises the tasks required to secure financing the activities of the Fund, equivalent to the "sales department" of enterprises. Part of this is the role of TFF MU as standing secretariat to the TFF Board of Directors (BoD) and as a liaison office to the donor community at large. In March 2009, the new MoU for period 2009 ­ 2012 has been signed between Donors and MARD in March 2009. According to which, total financial commitment for TFF is 32.6 million EUR. In early May 2009, the Fund's Management Unit has collaborated and organized a field visit for Donors to forestry development projects which are funded by TFF. · Capacity and Instruments Development: The "tools" that enable the Fund to perform its tasks, such as the development and revisions of the TFF Regulations, guidelines and operation manuals, staffing and personnel. By which, in early 2009, together with new MoU, TFF is revising regulations and operational guidelines TFF ­ PIM (based on older PIM version). Besides, TFF database is operational to help management of TFF portfolio. · Fund Utilization for TFF portfolio: this is the core business of TFF, which consists of funding for projects by MoU, utilization of tools developed to monitor the implementation of these projects, these businesses require much time and energy of TFF on different tasks in project management cycle. In 2009, the new project on Management Information System for Forestry Sector is approved by the Funds's Board of Director with funding from TFF of 1,8 million EUR. The Board of Director also actively involves in the Mid-term Reviews and Final Reviews of the TFF funded projects. 31 · Work Planning and Reporting: these activities relate to annual work planning and short-term work planning, and preparation of term reports at Fund level. Main activities to be implemented by the Partnership and FSSP CO in second half of 2009 Coordination activities. · Partnership Meetings o Community Forest Forum in Asia Pacific Region shall be organized in Ha Noi in August 2009 within the cooperation framework with RECOFTC; and o TEC meetings shall be regularly organized to discuss sector and partnership issues. · Support implementation of Strategy: supports MARD in carrying out second Review of Strategy implementation and then five ­ year work planning (2010-2015). · Support the operation of Forest Networks; · Support for REDD Working Group; Communication and information activities. In 2009, the development of the Forest Sector Monitoring and Information System (FOMIS) will be adjusted to be suitable for information technology application of the sector. FOMIS will be developing and not coincide to the sector information technology project. Improved functions on data integration, deployment and analyze through such tools as graphs, especially maps will be built. ODA database of forest sector will be updated and shared. Besides, database of FDI on forest will also be built and collected. FFSP CO will continue to support and participate in implementing the sector information technology project. Moreover, forest partnerships will be sharing daily information through the website and Newsletters. Some Possible Success Indicators for the first half of 2009 · Support for successful second review of two ­ year implementation of the Viet Nam Forestry Strategy, including successful organization of work planning workshop for five programs; · Together with RECOFTC to successfully organize the 3rd regional forum on Community Forest in Asia ­ Pacific Region; · Greater FSSP support to decentralization of activities. · FSSP partners involve and contribute actively in activities of REDD Working Group; · Lessons learnt and experience on implementation of Payment for forest environmental services shall be combined and shared via FSSP Newsletters; · Database of ODA and FDI support on forest sector will be finalized and uploaded to the website of FSSP. · Information on key activities of sector and partnership will be disseminated. · "Future Route" of TFF shall be defined and agreed upon by MARD and donors; · The Trust Fund for Forests management will be strengthened and aligned with MARD's administration system. TFF will support strategic priorities of forest sector (as identified in the Vietnam Forestry Development Strategy (VFDS), the sector's 5-year Plan, and the sector's Annual Action Plan of 2008). · The Forest Sector Monitoring and Information Systems (FOMIS) will be further developed at national level, i.e., for monitoring implementation of VFDS and 5-year plan, preparing reports on international environmental agreements, etc. For further information, contact the FSSP Coordination Office, 3rd Floor, A8 Building, No. 10 Nguyen Cong Hoan Street, Hanoi, Vietnam. Telephone: (84-4) 3762 9412 Email: fssp@hn.vnn.vn Website: www.vietnamforestry.org.vn 32 NATURAL DISASTER MITIGATION PARTNERSHIP Suite 407, Building A9, MARD, No.2 Ngoc Ha, Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Vietnam Tel: (84-4) 733 6658, Fax: (84-4) 733 6641, Email: ndmp@ccfsc.org.vn, Website: www.ccfsc.org.vn/ndm-p Progress Note for Consultative Group Meeting Middle Year 2009 A. BACKGROUND The Natural Disaster Mitigation Partnership (NDMP) was initiated following the historical floods in seven provinces of central Vietnam in 1999. The coincidence between the flooding and the conduct of a Government of Vietnam-Donor Consultative Group Meeting (CG Meeting) created a momentum among Government of Vietnam, Donors and NGOs towards pursuing disaster reduction rather than disaster response. The NDMP Preparatory Phase (or Phase I) covered interventions in central Vietnam and was implemented from 2002 to 2003. In its second 2.5 year phase initiated in July 2006, NDMP, as a Government-donor forum, aims to realize its overall objective which is: "To support the achievement of national goals and objectives through a coordinated, strategic, sector-wide approach to natural disaster mitigation in Vietnam." Further to this, NDMP has four key specific objectives: 1. To manage and share information for improved coordination and awareness raising in natural disaster management, 2. To advise the Government and facilitate dialogue on legislation, policies, and strategies on natural disaster management, 3. To facilitate capacities building and strengthening for the application of integrated approaches to natural disaster management and for implementation of the NDMP, and 4. To support the coordination of resource allocation to achieve the efficient use of resources in natural disaster management (including facilitating the development and funding of priority disaster management projects). At its core NDMP consists of a Steering Committee (SC) and a Secretariat with a number of associated working groups and other bodies. The SC guides NDMP management with members selected according to the Partnership's Memorandum of Agreement and includes representatives from National (MARD, MOF, MONRE, MPI, MOT, MOC, MOLISA), and Provincial (Nam Dinh, Quang Ngai, and An Giang) Government bodies, and Donors. NDMP funding comes from five key donors: UNDP, AusAID, SIDA, the Royal Netherlands Embassy and the Embassy of Luxembourg. The Government of Vietnam also supports the Partnership through the allocation of office space, resources and some staff to the Secretariat. B. KEY DEVELOPMENTS Since it was commenced in October 2006, there have been a number of key developments in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) that have had a direct affect on NDMP. These include: · The adoption of the Law on Dykes by the 11th National Assembly of Vietnam in November 2006 which was put into effect in 1st July 2007. · The approval of the National Strategy for Natural Disaster Prevention, Response and Mitigation to 2020 in November 2007. · National Target Program to response to Climate Change, approved by Prime Minister December, 2008 · Development and finalization of Ministerial and provincial action plans for implementation of the National Strategy for Natural Disaster Prevention, Response and Mitigation to 2020 by November 2008. 33 · The major disasters such as storms and floods happened from 2006 to 2008 (Storms of Xangsane, Durian, Kamuri, Hagupit, etc). C. UP TO DATE OUTCOMES There have been a number of significant outcomes of Natural Disaster Mitigation Partnership that contribute to achieve the 4 specific objectives of NDMP respectively as follows: 1. Management and sharing of information for improved coordination and awareness raising in disaster management · The NDMP Website has been established and is regularly updated with related information on disaster mitigation and management (www.ccfsc.org.vn/ndm-p). After the Mid-term review of NDMP in July 2008, the Website of NDMP had been evaluated as the most successful information sharing tool and was recommended to strengthen as a "one stop shop" for information sharing on DM in Vietnam. Since June 2007, there have been more than 1,970,000 visitors accessing the Website of NDMP for DM information. · Monthly newsletters covering information on disaster mitigation activities of were developed each month, printed and distributed to 63 provinces/cities and around 100 agencies. The electronic version was also developed and circulated to stakeholders by email mailing list. · To support DMWG and strengthen the role of NDMP in this mechanism, NDMP has been working to revise the TOR of this working group in which NDMP's to play more active role in the future. Moreover, NDMP has also been involved in supporting a study into the adoption of the cluster approach in Vietnam. · Two JANI support staffs have been recruited by NDMP to improve the information sharing system and especially to strengthen Online Community-Based Disaster Risk Management Library and websites of NDMP and CCFSC. · Participated in regular and irregular meetings of DMWG, JANI, CCWG and DDMFSC, WB, UNDP etc. 2. Facilitate dialogues in policies, strategies and legislation on natural disaster mitigation · Support CCFSC to build up guildlines integrating disaster management and climate change into planing socio economic development · Support CCFSC to guide provinces and cities to build their action plans to implement the National Strategy for Natural Disaster Prevention, Response and Mitigation to 2020, NDMP has worked together with DMC to contact focal points in provinces and ministries. In May, 2009, The Inter agency working group was organized with the following main points: i) Experience and lessons learnt from 10 years of NDMP to date; ii) reparations for the next phase of the Partnership, and iii) Possibilities for a future discussion forum or national platform for Vietnam. 3. Facilitate development of capacity for application of integrated approaches in natural disaster management and for the NDMP implementation · NDMP has been involved in facilitating several meetings between DDMFSC and other ministries, UNDP, NGOs and other technical advisor etc. · With financial support from NDMP, DDMFSC staff worked closely with the World Bank NDRMP to develop IDRM plans in pilot provinces of Ha Tinh, Quang Tri and Quang Nam in August 2008. · A workshop was held in Quang Ngai from the 16 to 17 September 2008 organised by NDMP and the Quang Ngai PPC. The objective of the workshop was to share the results and lessons learnt from the Quang Ngai NDM project funded by AusAid. Participants from PCFSC of 12 provinces (Nghe An to Binh Thuan) attended this workshop. · National Director and Manager of NDMP of NDMP attended the workshop on "flood proofing for poor households in Mekong delta" in An Giang (funded by UNDP). The briefing report of this workshop was shared through NDMP's newsletter. · NDMP was involved in meetings between DDMFSC and DIPECHO as well as the WB NDRMP review missions. · Provided comments on the report on the proposed Australia-Indonesia Initiative for the Regional Center for Disaster Reduction and on report of Hyogo framework implementation review by ASEAN technical advisor. 34 · Followed up the process of supporting the development of provincial action plan for implementation of national strategy on DM by IDRM project of WB. 4. Coordination of resource allocation and efficient use of resources in natural disaster management · The Matrix of disaster mitigation intervention projects/programs has been in the process of being upgraded. The demonstration of the software design was presented to NDMP staff for agreement. Up to date, the matrix which is designed for web based exploitation and integrated GIS application had been completed and was installed in NDMP website by middle of September 2008. DM project information is being collected and updated in the matrix for better resources coordination in Vietnam. · Provide information for resource coordination of relief aid for victims of storm No.4, No.6 in Northern provinces and No.7 in Southern provinces of Vietnam. · Worked closely with PACCOM, WB, ADB, UNDP for resources coordination. Management Issues · The fourth meeting of the NDMP Steering Committee was help in Hanoi on 30 July 2008. In this meeting, the steering committee members and donors of NDMP approved the progress report of NDMP for the first 6 month period of 2008 and projected work-plan for remaining period of NDMP operation. A neutral budget extension of NDMP for 6 months (January to June 2009) was also approved in the meeting. A meeting minutes was developed and circulated. All agreements and decisions in the meeting have been identified with follow up actions. · A detailed Log-frame for NDMP up to June 2009 was drafted with specific expected outcomes with indicators and means of verification. · A new information officer was recruited in July 2008 by NDMP to improve the work of information management and sharing through the website and newsletter as well as other tools. · An International Expert supported by UNDP was recruited and started working in August 2008. · M&E framework for NDMP and the secretariat was finalized and is being implemented · A sixth-month non-cost extension of NDMP has been approved by the Government of Vietnam and funding donors of NDMP. D. PLANS FOR THE FURTURE The Mid-term Review of NDMP was conducted in July 2008 with some specific recommendations on how to improve performance of NDMP in the future as well as on the way the NDMP should focus on. As the work- plan for remaining period of NDMP (up to June 2009) has been approved by Steering Committee, it is expected that over coming months, the NDMP will continue to support the Central Committee for Flood and Storm Control (CCFSC) and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), including: · The continuation and improvement of information sharing on DM as "one stop shop" through 2 main tools of Website and Newsletter. · Supporting the coordination of resource allocation through consultation and harmonization processes, especially with great support from new designed matrix on DM project/programme intervention. · Continued support the development of provincial and action plans for the implementation of national strategy for natural disaster prevention, response and mitigation to 2020. · Supporting MARD and other agencies on the issues of climate change. Focusing on mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation into National Development. · Supporting the procedures of formulation of Law on Disaster Management, especially the establishment of Policy Working Group. · Contribution to on-going institutional capacity building and facilitation of other policy dialogue in DM through support MARD and other CCFSC in need assessment. 35 HEALTH PARTNERSHIP GROUP Partnership note Hanoi, June 2009 I. General Introduction According to the joint Statement of Intent (SOI) between the Ministry of Health and the development partners on the improvement of aid effectiveness in the health sector, the first meeting of the Health Partnership Group (hereafter called HPG meeting) co-chaired by the Minister of Health and an ambassador was held, the following meetings will be co-chaired by a vice minister and a partner. This is a policy dialogue and information sharing forum between the Ministry of Health of Vietnam and the development partners aiming to improve the comprehensive effectiveness of foreign aids in the health sector. Within the first six months of 2009, 2 HPG meetings were held by the HPG. The first meeting co- chaired by Minister of Health Nguyen Quoc Trieu and Mr. Sean Doyle - Ambassador and Head of the EC Delegation to Vietnam was held on March 31, 2009, and the second meeting was co-chaired by Vice Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien and Mr. Jean-Marc Olivé ­ WHO Chief Representative in Vietnam. II. The HPG meeting on March 31, 2009 2.1. Chairman: Minister of Health Nguyen Quoc Trieu Co-chaired by Mr. Sean Doyle, Ambassador/Head of the EC Delegation to Vietnam. 2.2. Objectives: (1) To update the development priorities of the health sector in Vietnam and some cooperation priorities with foreign partners in the near future; (2) To endorse officially the joint SOI between the Ministry of Health and the development partners on the improvement of aid effectiveness in the health sector and agree with the overall plan to implement this SOI. 2.3. Main contents In the HPG meeting on 31 March, the Ministry of Health and the development partners in the health sector endorsed the joint SOI on the improvement of aid effectiveness in the health sector. In the meeting, Minister of Health Nguyen Quoc Trieu informed that: in 2009, the Government intends to allocate VND23,360 billion for the health sector. Currently, the total cost for the health sector in Vietnam accounts for 5-6% of GDP and approximately US$45/head/year. However, the public expenditures accounted for only 30% of the total costs for the health sector, this is a low percentage in comparison with the medium and low income countries in the world. At present, the main difficulties that the health sector in Vietnam is facing with are to accomplish policies and development investment to improve health service quality. The Ministry of Health, therefore, calls upon the development partners to continue their support to the health sector in Vietnam, focusing on 2 priority fields - health policy and development investment. In terms of the health policy, the Ministry of Health expects the international community to give support to improvement of management capacity and health sector development policy formulation such as preparation and accomplishment of legal documents for the health sector in terms of the following fields: health finance, medical examination and treatment, food safety, health insurance, etc. In terms of the development investment, the Ministry of Health expects the partners to help enhance their support of local health development, especially in the mountainous, remote areas, of 36 development investment for professional health centers and high technology medical development, for preventive medical network, food safety and medical examination and treatment. The Ministry of Health also expects that the partners would invest in human resource development in terms of quantity, quality and the special training, including investment in medical-pharmaceutical universities, colleges. Besides, the Ministry of Health also gives priority to calling upon development investment support of family planning activities and mother-children health care in order to achieve and exceed millennium development targets in this field. According to the approved joint SOI, the Ministry of Health and the partners (including 8 bilateral donors, 3 international organizations, 4 United Nations organizations & 8 civil social organizations in the health sector in Vietnam) have committed to enhance the national ownership role for the development process; develop effective & broad partner relations; official assistance provision and accountability in achieving development outcomes. Mr. Sean Doyle, Ambassador, Head of the EC Delegation to Vietnam affirmed: the approval of this SOI was very timely, as the financial economic difficulties make the state budget to be tighter and more effective use of aid resources is very important. Also in this meeting, Vice Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien presented the overall plan (attached) between the Ministry of Health and the development partners to carry out the SOI on the improvement of aid effectiveness in the health sector. In order to increase the effectiveness in development assistance investment for the health sector, these support should not be overlapped with the existing investments by the Government, and more attention should be paid to the areas and localities, which have received insufficient support. By March 31, foreign partners have committed US$805.5 million and there is a possibility for increasing the support. The big development partners include World Bank (with the commitments which had been, are being and to be carried out up to US$290 million in the period from 2002 to 2015), ADB (US$147 million in the period of 2008-2015), EC (EUR54.75 million, 2009-2015). These commitments show assistance, interest of international communities in the health sector in the country. The foreign partners highly appreciate the achievements gained by the health sector of Vietnam in the recent years. The expected national basic and important health targets have been achieved. In addition, Vietnam is also following closely the health-related Millennium Goal progress, e.g. the mortality rate of children under 5 years old, the malnutrition rate of children under 5 years old, etc. are being increased gradually. However, the uneven development of health care between regions, uneven progress between various indicators request more efforts from the Government in building an "equal, effective and developed" medical system with focus on the poor and the people living in difficult circumstances. The Ministry of Health will also build an effective partnership, and the donors will provide aids and be accountable for development outcomes to both sides. In the current global recession context, the interest and strong commitments of the international partners are an actually great encouragement for the health sector development in Vietnam. III. The HPG Meeting on May 28, 2009 3.1. Chairperson: Vice Minister of Health, Nguyen Thi Kim Tien Co-chaired by Mr. Jean-Marc Oilvé, WHO Chief Representative in Vietnam. 3.2. Objectives (1) Policy dialogue: 37 a. To share the latest conclusions by the Politburo of the Vietnam Party Central Committee (Conclusions Nos. 42, 43, 44) on the health sector development orientations and status of Vietnam). b. To update the health issues in Vietnam and the region, including response to the current A/H1N1 influenza and present the conclusion of the Politburo of the Vietnam Party Central Committee on health protection, care and improvement for the people. (2) To report on activities to implement the joint SOI between the Ministry of Health of Vietnam and the development partners on the improvement of aid effectiveness in the health sector (see the attached implementation plan). (3) To share information among the HPG members: a. Feedbacks of the partners from the consultation workshop on health planning: new issues, assistance of the partners for the 2011-2015 health plan. b. Update of the negotiation process of the 8th and 9th Poverty Reduction Support Credit (PRSC) and launching activities in the health sector. 3.3. Main contents of the meeting: 3.3.1. Notifying conclusions No. 42,43, 44 KL/TW by the Politburo of the Vietnam Party Central Committee. Achievements: According to the conclusions by the Politburo of the Vietnam Party Central Committee, after 3 years of implementation of resolutions 46, 47 and 5 years of implementation of the Instruction 06, the health-population sector has obtained satisfactory achievements, e.g. many epidemics have been controlled and checked, the medical system has been strengthening, the legal framework has been accomplishing, the process to socialise health care services for the people has reported positive results, scale and service provision capacity of the medical system are being improved, easier access to health services has been provided to people, initially, health budget allocation mechanism and regime are being renovated. In addition, some important achievements of the family planning-population field have been also obtained such as improvement in marriage and childbirth behaviour; more people get married and have babies in conformity with age-old rules, taken into account with health and economic circumstances; and the rate of childbirth is lower, the population quality has improved. Difficulties, constraints: Apart from the achievements, outstanding issues remain in health care for the people and the population-family planning activities, for example, the medical system organization model is not appropriate and unstable, especially the local medical and preventive medical systems; the behavior policies for the medical staff are not reasonable, food safety control is weak, management of non- state-owned health entities, medicines is not yet strict, the health insurance coverage is still low, etc. The population-family planning activities are still limited, for example, the rate of childbirth decreases slowly, unsustainably, gaps between the regions are still observed, unbalance of sex among infants is at warning level; the average life expectancy is relatively high, but the life expectancy quality is quite low. Direction views of the Politburo of the Vietnam Party Central Committee in the Conclusions: In Conclusions Nos. 42, 43, 44, the Politburo of the Vietnam Party Central Committee requests the party executive committees, governments, social-political associations at all various levels and the whole society to continue to be fully aware of and carry out views, objectives and solutions specified in the resolutions in order to implement successfully the Instruction 06, Resolutions 46 and 47. Focus points: In the Renovation Plan of finance and implementation mechanisms (including salary and health service price) for public health enterprises of the Ministry of Health (pursuant to Conclusion 42): 38 - In points of view, the Politburo of the Vietnam Party Central Committee emphasizes that the public health system should play a key role and the financial mechanism renovation in the public health enterprises should be connected closely with the execution of the health insurance process for the whole population, and health service costs should be calculated correctly and sufficiently. - In term of some contents of implementation and finance mechanism renovation, the Politburo of the Vietnam Party Central Committee agrees with that the Government will give priority to expenditures from the state budget, government bonds, ODA funds to upgrade and develop the public medical system; agrees that based on the autonomy implementation outcomes, hospitals and public health enterprises would be classified; agrees in principles with building of the price frame and health service price in compliance with correct and sufficient calculation of health service costs; permits to apply reasonable allowance regimes for medical staff by fields, regions, noxious and dangerous levels for medical staff health; agrees with the personnel shifting policy and with social obligation implementation of medical staff in mountainous, remote areas, rural and difficult areas, etc. o In term of the people health care and accomplishment of the local medical network (pursuant to Conclusion 43): - To arrange the public medical system, formulate a reasonable and stable model based on sector management for local medical system (from provincial level downwards). To facilitate, encourage development and expansion of private health entities. - To provide guidance actively and execute seriously policies for the poor, children under 6 years old, old people, ethnic minority population and social policy-benefited individuals. - To strengthen effect, effectiveness, discipline, laws in the state management of health. - To re-structure financial sources for the health sector, accordingly, the public financial sources (the state budget and health insurance) will take a high percentage (at least over 50%) in the total budget for health expenditures from all sources. - To carry out all comprehensive solutions to improve effectiveness of information, education, communication, behavior change of health care, legal policies, the Government and Party's policies on health care for the population. o In term of the population-family planning activities (pursuant to Conclusion 44): - To pursue the objective of families with few children to breed and educate them well. - To develop and arrange implementation of comprehensive strategies to improve population quality in term of constitution, intelligence and spirit. - To control actively and resolve deep reasons which cause unbalance of sex among infants, utilize opportunities of the "golden population structure" period for country development. - To improve population management by public service management manners, apply modern technologies to develop a unity population ­ family planning database in the whole country. - To prepare and issue the Population Law, the Health - Population Strategy in the period of 2011- 2020 soon. 3.3.2. Updated A/H1N1 influenza situation in the world and response of Vietnam to this epidemic The epidemic situation up to 28 May 2009: Total number of A(H1N1) cases: 13,948, among them 95 patients died in 48 countries: In Asia: Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Kuwait, Philippines, Barhain, Taiwan ­ China. In some countries, the rate is high: America 6764/10, Mexico 4541/83, Canada 921/1, Japan 360/0. Epidemic situation forecast: The new A/H1N1 influenza cases are being increased rapidly, number of the new countries infected with this influenza is being added. Number of immigrants from the epidemic areas into the country is being increased, possibly, including the influenza-infected people. Therefore, the epidemic risk occurs in Vietnam is very potential. The implementing activities against the epidemic: 39 Directives: The Government directly provides guidance, directives against the epidemic (The Prime Minister's telegram No. 639/CD-TTg dated 29 April 2009, telegram No. 732/CD-TTg dated 14 May 2009), the people's committees at all various levels shall be responsible for the epidemic protection in their management localities. The health sector shall provide advices of activities against the epidemic, provide guidance and directives directly to carry out the epidemic control activities. The Ministry of Health should strengthens activities of the National Steering Committee for human influenza control and prevention. Weekly and unscheduled meetings as well as daily meetings between the head of the sub-committees ­ the National Steering Committee shall be held. Human influenza control and prevention plans by each stage should be prepared. Monitoring activities: To enhance quarantine measures in the border areas, to carry out monitoring, management and isolate doubtful cases (98 doubtful cases have been discovered, but currently, there are no A/H1N1 positive cases); to strengthen monitoring of the flu cases in the communities; to prepare and issue monitoring guidelines on A/H1N1 influenza control and prevention; to make and issue guidelines on collection, preservation and transport of A/H1N1 influenza medical waste samples; to arrange training courses for preventive medical officers on monitoring contents and collection of medical wastes. Treatment: The Ministry of Health has given directives to strengthen the treatment systems at all levels, to ensure availability of medicines, medical facilities, material, isolation areas for patient receipt and treatment; to develop guidelines on A/H1N1 influenza prevention and treatment, to organize training courses for treatment staff; to prepare patient treatment & receipt plans if the epidemic would occur. Advocacy: The Ministry of Health has developed communication messages, reports on mass media; prepared leaflets on A/H1N1 influenza to distribute to immigrants, foreigners in Vietnam, to the communities; training courses for advocacy staff in provinces, cities in advocacy measures and contents to prevent the influenza epidemic. International cooperation: ­ To coordinate closely with WHO, US CDC to exchange information about the influenza and prevention, control measures. ­ To request WHO to assist Vietnam in technique, medicines, facilities for the epidemic prevention and control. ­ To participate in the ASEAN + 3 Health Ministers summit on A/H1N1 influenza. Recommendations Technical assistance (information sharing, provision of technical assistance guidelines, specialist appointment). Provision of medicines, chemicals, preventive facilities: body temperature test machines, tamiflu, PPE, means of transport, diagnostic tools, lab, etc. Financial assistance. 3.3.3. Updated implementation status of the projected milestones in the joint SOI The milestones managed by Department of International Cooperation: milestone No. 1; No. 2 and No. 5 40 (Milestone 1): Construct a yearly based agreed - detail matrix of milestones of donors. The objective of these milestones is to provide a general illustration/ statistics table of all ODA projects in health sector. In addition, this is an output indicator of health care planning process of Viet Nam site and the partners. However, there is a fact that the Ministry of Health manages only 70% of investment project in the health sector (JAHR report 2008), the remaining projects have been managed by other cities, provinces and organizations (such as Youth Union, Women Union etc.). The Ministry of Health has been receiving technical assistance by WHO for this milestone. At present, the statistic data set format for milestones of donors has been drafted and has been sent to donors and the partners for comments. After completion, the matrix will be promulgated to help the Government and related agencies, donors monitor the ODA projects which have been or will be implemented in Viet Nam. The objectives of setting up the data table are (1) to give general outlook on investment projects in the health sector and time trend; (2) to point out the support from the partners in the health sector; (3) to point out the support from the partners to different provinces, setting up aid map, (4) to give out the gap between implementation and commitment. Milestone 2: To implement a study to evaluate the harmonization and linkage of technical support in the health sector. We are very glad to receive support from GTZ, JICA. At present, the joint working group has started to discuss on how to carry out the milestones, of which the defining of scope and content of study, the necessary sources to implement these milestones (technical, financial support etc.) sources distribution etc. are included. The objectives of this study (draft) includes (1) defining components of Technical assistance; (2) defining the ratio of ODA support packages for technical part; (3) evaluating the harmonization and appropriation of technical support from donors with Viet Nam demand/needs; (4) evaluating the needs of technical assistance in Viet Nam; (5) evaluating the impacts of technical assistance to the health sector in Viet Nam; (6) evaluating the coordination/cooperation among donors to technical assistance packages which supported by them; and (7) evaluating the harmonization of approaches of donors on technical support, information sharing on "capacity building" projects in Viet Nam. Milestone 5: The government official approved HPG forum with setting a financial mechanism for its activities, HPG secretariat is also included. For this milestone, the Ministry of Health received the commitment from AusAIDS, WHO, United State of America , EC and Pathfinder for their support. Accordingly, the joint working group will be set up soon to discuss way to implement this milestone. However, to prepare for this milestone, the Department of International Cooperation has consulted with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development because the Ministry has been succeeded in forming similar forum for PAHI, International support group (ISG)... with the forming of trusted fund for activities of the forums. Thus the HPG forum should be strengthened with appropriate and detailed TOR, and having its own fund for operation. In this forum the members have contributed their ideals/comments for Milestone No. 5. The meeting also agreed to set up a joint working group for each milestone, to discuss implementation way and contents practically and effectively, on time and reflect the cooperation spirit between the Ministry of Health and the development partners in order to implement the joint SOI on the improvement of aid effectiveness in the health sector. The remaining activities managed by the Department of Planning-Finance Milestone 3: To issue a guidelines on budget supporting, provision in the health sector. Milestone 4: To review approval, procurement and disbursement procedures applied for health aids. Milestone 7: To complete the expenditure plan integrated with the 5 year plan, in which information about the total incomes from national and foreign sources for the health sector are shown. In this milestone, the Department of Planning-Finance set up a working group leaded by Master Nguyen Nam Lien from the finance division. 41 Milestone 8: To complete the 5 year plan feasibly, estimate costs for the health sector and linked with the monitoring frame. This milestone is led by the Director of the Department of Planning-Finance ­ Professor, PhD Pham Le Tuan. Milestone 10: A general report on the health sector background will be carried out with consultation of authorities at all various levels, civil organizations and funding partners and will be distributed. In 2010, apart from the general statistics of the sector, the Department will focus more on the health human resource topic. 3.3.4. To provide feedback on the April health planning workshop: issues, support of the partners for the 5-year health plan from 2011 to 2015. 3.3.4. To provide update on poverty reduction programs, including the health improvement for the people. IV. HPG Core Group Meetings Apart from the HPG regular meetings every 3 months, HPG Core Group meetings will be also held with participation of some HPG key members. These Core Group meetings will be held as necessary to discuss and prepare for regular HPG meetings, to solve problems arisen during the activity implementation process and propose activity directions in the coming time. V. The plan for the second 6 months of 2009: In the 6 remaining months of the year 2009, 2 HPG meetings will be held, one in quarter III, 2009 and the other in quarter IV, 2009. The HPG Secretariat will prepare the 2009 annual report and it is expected to be sent to the CG Secretariat to contribute to the preparation activities for the CG Meeting at the end of 2009 chaired by the Government Leaders. 42 THE PARTNERSHIP GROUP FOR SME PROMOTION AND PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT (SMEPG) Updated activities May 2009 1. Progress in SME/PSD promotion activities by Government With the promulgation of Government's Decree 116/2008/ND-CP dated 16 November 2008 on mandates, tasks and organizational structure of the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), our Enterprise Development Agency (ASMED) is now functioning in a broader scope in terms of SME development. Earlier this year, MPI issued Circular No 01/2009/TT-BKH to amend and supplement Circular 03/2006/TT- BKH on registration for households as guiding document for Decree 88/2006/ND-CP on business registration (a new Decree replacing Decree 88 will come out later this year). We are now in the second phase of business registration reform, where the 3 registration processes will be combined into a shorter single process with less waiting time for those who would like to set up an enterprise. MPI submitted the draft of new Decree that will replace Decree 90 on SME development to the Government meeting and received high consensus regarding new policies and mechanism for SME development. This new Decree is expected to be promulgated soon. The Prime Minister also instructed MPI to draft a new resolution on urgent measures to be taken in order to support SME in the current context. Earlier this year, our agency's leaders joined in Government's special missions led by Ministers to monitor the implementation of stimulus packages and to take a close look at local economic situation. ASMED has also been very active in preparing many important reports for National Assembly, for Government and other high- level bodies. Based on last year's MPI's Annual Report on SMEs in Vietnam 2008, ASMED is working on a more concise with higher quality report namely SME White Paper. This is also an effort in line with ASEAN's initiative on a joint ASEAN SME White Paper. ASMED participated in ASEAN SME Working Group meeting in Malaysia late May. ASMED will participate in APEC SME Working Group meeting and a workshop on `SME in APEC and global financial crisis' in Chinese Taipei early June. Three donor projects have been up and running: the ADB-funded Preparatory Technical Assistance for SME Development Program Loan 2, the UNIDO/Norway-funded Technical Assistance for Business Registration Reform and the UNIDO/Italy-funded SME Cluster Development. 2. Progress in SME/PSD promotion activities by donor Since there has been no SMEPG meeting in the last six months, however, this section has been compiled from written responses from organizations/projects in the SME field. Danida's Business Sector Program Support has had a high level of activity across the five components. The business environment component (no 1) continued its work in the provinces of Lam Dong, Khanh Hoa and Nghe An. As the province of Ha Tay was merged into Hanoi, a limited number of activities continue in the province of Hanoi. Support was also rendered to ASMED (now EDA) towards the formulation of a new decree for SME development that will replace decree 90. The bulk of activities concentrated on regulatory reform and simplification of administrative procedures, training and public-private sector dialogue. Work on improvement of labor conditions (component 2), which is implemented by MoLISA, the VGCL and VCCI, continued the programmes to improve occupational health and safety (OHS) in small enterprises. Also the National Week for OHS was supported. The VCCI-implemented programme for dealing with HIV/AIDS in the work continued supporting enterprises and associations in developing policies and reducing stigma at the 43 work place. The Global Competitiveness Fund (component 3) was recently reviewed and the review concluded that GCF is highly successful to improve the competitiveness of Vietnamese enterprises. After the initial start-up difficulties, it managed to attract innovative and forward-looking investors. Particularly in the target provinces, the facility helped new business services for local enterprises to emerge and interest representation of selected groups of businesses through BAs to strengthen. Support to commercial dispute resolution (component 4) continued with capacity building for both the Supreme Peoples' Court and the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (under VCCI). Support also continued to the Central Institute for Economic Management (component 5), which publicizes the SME Survey and the Household Survey every alternate year. The current programme phase will run until end 2010 and thereafter a second and final phase of the Business Sector Programme Support is envisaged to run from 2011-13. The GTZ SMEDP came to an end on April 30 after four years of implementation, as German Development Cooperation decided to withdraw from Private Sector Development in Vietnam. All relevant publications of the Program are accessible through the website www.sme-gtz.org.vn In Vietnam, IFC Advisory Services are implemented in partnership with Australia, Canada, Finland, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. Provincial level: IFC is assisting the provincial governments of Bac Ninh and Thua Thien Hue (the latter in conjunction with EU VPSSP) with land administration reform. The past six months saw the project design a simplified process to access land that coordinates investment approval, site selection, environmental clearance, land grants, and construction permits. The design was based on findings from the previous period's process mapping and diagnosis, and tailored into individual simplification proposals appropriate to each province. Simplifying land access procedures should help eliminate duplication by cutting 30 documentary requirements (from over 60) and 20 investor visits to different authorities (from nearly 40). At the same time, it should increase inter-agency coordination, introduce good practices at one-stop-shops (including a single access point), and reduce by half the amount of investor time spent on the process (currently averaging 400 days). In July 2008, IFC signed an MOU with the General Department of Taxation (GDT), defining the scope of intervention and roles for each party in the tax simplification project. In October 2008, tax administrators and policy makers were introduced to marginal effective tax rates (METR) and an analysis of Vietnam's METR that simulated the impact of tax policy on capital. Subsequent recommendations were well-received by both the GDT and Ministry of Finance. In conjunction, IFC and GDT began an intensive collaboration to map current tax administrative procedures and evaluation of all sub-national and/or sectoral fees and charges. Thirty-seven high-level and detailed process maps and first inventory of fees and charges have been completed. National level: The Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) continues its valuable role as facilitator for private sector development in Vietnam by providing inputs and recommendations on a number of important laws and regulations. Recent noteworthy results include: · A more flexible exchange rate management regime (the FX band widened from 1% to 3%), and more timely intervention of the SBV into the FX market · Improved awareness of corporate governance and market discipline through a new practice of public notification of penalty of breaches and more stringent fines · Issuance of regulations on OTC transactions towards a more organized and disciplined OTC market · Finalization and issuance of a marketing strategy for Vietnam Tourism · The granting of licenses to three banking WG members to set up subsidiaries in Vietnam, made possible by WG advocacy efforts to speed up the licensing process. These three subsidiaries are all in operation and bring minimum investments of US$ 180 million (VND 1 trillion per subsidiary) to Vietnam. As a member of the Advisory Council of Administrative Procedures Reform (ACAPR), IFC has provided reviews of 2,569 administrative procedures relating to businesses, based on a list provided by the project's Special Task Force. The reviews cover investment, land, finance, and construction. Also, findings from the process mapping of all existing access to land procedures in Bac Ninh province were presented to the Advisory Council. 44 IFC/ILO Better Work: Better Work Vietnam (BWV) was launched in October 2008. At the same time, IFC and ILO hosted the first meeting of the Vietnam Buyers' Forum, where 17 international brands expressed a strong commitment to BWV and its mission. The project supports cooperation between labor and management for improved workplace conditions, productivity, and compliance with international labor standards. Benefits to manufacturers are expected to come from improved communication with buyers on labor standards, reduced costs from elimination of multiple audits and multiple improvement programs, and access to local and affordable advisory and training services. BWV will initially target the apparel sector in the HCMC area, with expansion to other locations and sectors to follow in the third project year. The project is in its initial stage setting up office and recruiting staff. The MOU on establishment of Project Advisory Committee was signed between ILO, IFC, MOLISA, VGCL and VCCI in May 2009. ILO provides technical assistance in the SME field through the following projects: a) The PRISED project (VCCI/ILO) will close down in September 2009 after four years of implementation. During the last six months PRISED continued supporting training of existing and potential entrepreneurs, up- grading of two value-chains, strengthening of business associations and training local authorizes in the creation of a favorable business environment. As a last push by PRISED to promote enterprise culture, a small social marketing campaign in Tra Vinh is being planned. It aims at increasing the appreciation of entrepreneurs and the contribution of SMEs to the local economy. It will also provide forums for improved dialogue and cooperation between public and private actors. b) ILO just began the implementation of the WEDGE project (Women Entrepreneurship Development and Gender Equality). It aims at i) improving enabling environment for women entrepreneurs, ii) improving capacity of business development service providers to deliver services to women entrepreneurs and iii) improving income-generating capacity, productivity and competitiveness of women entrepreneurs. c) Since November 2008, the ILO and MOLISA are collaborating to improve productivity and competitiveness of SMEs through improving Occupational Safety and Health practices. Together they have conducted pilot Training of Trainers in WISE - Work Improvement for Small Enterprises and follow-up activities in the three regions of Vietnam. A network of 98 WISE trainers has been established in 18 cities/provinces. The ILO and MOLISA is planning to expand the WISE programme to broader number of enterprises and reach more provinces in the next few years and making full use of the existing WISE trainer network. d) ILO and VCCI continue implementing the Factory Improvement Programme (FIP) aiming at increased company competitiveness through improved workplace communications. In addition ILO implements related projects on micro-finance and income-generating activities for vulnerable groups (youth, disabled, poor households) with its partners VCCI, VCA, VGCL and MoLISA. In collaboration with Japanese business sector in Vietnam, JICA is tackling supporting industry (SI) development from the multifaceted view points as `policy', `industrial human resource development', `technical assistance' and `SME finance'. For example, an SME policy advisor now works on the effective/efficient implementation of the shortly coming new Decree 90 with Enterprise Development Agency (EDA); many business/technical training courses and on-site consultations are provided by Japanese experts/volunteers; some technical assistance projects for capacity building are planned for industrial schools and related organizations; the SME two-step-loan is given to local SMEs through SBV and commercial banks. JICA is also playing a main role in PRSC 8 on the issue, and an action plan was set aiming to improvement of regulation and coordination for SME/SI development. Following the action plan, EDA coordinated for revising Decree 90 and improving SME credit guarantee system besides the fact that MoIT expressed their initiative to promote SI. The MPI/EU Vietnam Private Sector Support Program (VPSSP) was officially closed at the end of December 2008. KfW is supporting SME promotion and especially the securitization of leasing receivables within the framework of the SME Development Program Loan (SDPL). KfW's engagement is ending with the termination of phase 1 in 2009. The UNIDO "Assistance to Establish the National and Provincial SME Support Infrastructure" were completed on December, 31st 2008. At the provincial level, four First-Stop-Shops (FSS), which are provincial focal points are now in full operation. These are located in Thai Nguyen, Lao Cai, Binh Thuan and Quang Ninh 45 provinces. FSS website has become a useful tool to support enterprises in provinces. The 2nd phase of this project named "SME Cluster Development", financed by the Italian Government, was launched on January, 21st 2009. The project "Technical Assistance to Business Registration Reform", financed by the Government of Norway and UNIDO, is being implemented, as scheduled. The nationwide roll-out of the computerized registration system to all of the 63 provinces is expected to be complete by February 2010. The revision of amended Decree 90 on SME development was completed with assistance from UNIDO. This Decree was submitted to Prime Minister and will be promulgated very soon. EDA Business Portal has been continuously updated. A GEF project preparation phase which will assist industrial SMEs to implement industrial energy efficiency through system optimization and energy management standards was launched by MOIT and UNIDO in May 2009. The USAID/VNCI project completed Phase I on December 30, 2008. USAID/VNCI Phase II began on October 1, 2008 and will provide technical assistance to a central ministries, provinces and private sector organizations until February 2013. VNCI continues to work in regulatory management, infrastructure financing and development, provincial competitiveness and policy advocacy. VNCI works closely with OOG to support the Prime Minister's Master Plan to simplify administrative procedures in state management from 2007 to 2010 in 21 ministries, 63 provinces, and over 700 districts and 10,000 communes. OOG has included the Development Bank of Vietnam, Bank for Social Policy and Social Insurance Agency because they are important actors in the economic stimulus program and employment programs. USAID/VNCI is also coordinating other donor involvement in this reform at the request of OOG. Another aspect of VNCI's regulatory management program is an intensive program with MOJ and other state agencies to build capacity for regulatory impact assessment related to the new provisions in the updated Law on Laws (November 2008) that requires public consultation and impact assessments for all laws, ordinances and decrees. In addition, VNCI is working with MPI and other agencies and provinces to improve financing and development of infrastructure through consulting support for laws and policies for public-private partnerships and revenue bonds by leveraging debt and equity markets to meet the requirements of over $200 billion in infrastructure requirements to sustain economic growth and equitable development in rural and remote provinces. The PCI 2008 was launched by VCCI and VNCI on 11 December 2008 in Hanoi and 12 December 2008 in HCMC with the latest rankings and policy and regulatory implications for the business environment in 64 provinces. VNCI and VCCI have conducted diagnostic workshops in over 40 provinces to strengthen economic governance based on analysis of PCI to improve competitiveness. 3. Joint initiatives among donors UN Joint Programme on Green Production and Trade to Increase Income and Employment Opportunities for Rural Poor in 4 Northern provinces has been developed by the ILO, UNIDO, FAO, ITC, UNCTAD together with the VIETRADE (MOIT) and VIETCRAFT. The project document was finalized on 10th May 2009 and is being submitted to donors for final approval. The program will result in a) an improved understanding of the handicrafts and small furniture value chains; b) sustainable income increases of poor crafts and small furniture raw materials growers/collectors; c) sustainable income increases of rural poor crafts and small furniture producing households and enterprises; and, d) improved policies and regulatory frameworks at the provincial and national levels for the pro-poor promotion of handicrafts and small furniture production. Under the UN- Government Joint Programme on Gender Equality (approved by the Government on 19 March 2009) the ILO and UNIDO together with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry promote the economic empowerment of women. Main activities will be to i) facilitate enhanced partnership between VCCI, government agencies, and other political and civil society actors to develop mechanisms for promoting women's entrepreneurship in line with the GEL; ii) Support women's entrepreneurship and networking at the grass-roots level and their advocacy efforts aimed at mass organizations and government agencies working on economic empowerment policies for women. 46 TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP GROUP June 2009 1. Partnership Assessment 1.1. The status of the partnership group Since its establishment in July 2000, the partnership group has consolidated information and experience on projects and programs in the transport sector in order to encourage alignment of support and improvement of aid effectiveness. The partnership group is currently moving toward a forum of active discussion on sector issues and in joint policy formulation. Besides the follow-up discussion on "VRA's restructuring", "Road and Bridge Maintenance Management", "Traffic Safety" and "Expressway Development Strategy", "Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Corridor" and the draft final report of "VITRANSS 2" were shared in the 18th transport partnership group meeting. 1.2. The structure of the partnership group For the past years, MOT and JBIC jointly chaired the partnership group meetings with participants from MOT- affiliated organizations and donors involved in the sector, such as ADB, AusAID, DfID, JICA and WB. KEXIM joins from the 18th Transport Partnership Group Meeting. The partnership group meetings are held biannually prior to the CG or the mid-term CG meetings. 2. Achievement of the partnership group in the last 6 months of 2009 2.1. The 18th Transport Partnership Group Meeting The 18th transport partnership group meeting was held on May 26th, 2008. The meeting mainly focused on the four issues as follows; (i) "Capacity building for VRA" to follow up VRA's institutional restructuring and share the progress of formulation of the road maintenance fund and the result of the study on road maintenance system supported by JICA, (ii) "Traffic Safety" to report the current progress of preparation of Master Plan and the project activities supported by donors, and (iii) "Expressway Development Strategy" to share the implementation progress of expressway development by MOT. The draft final report of VITRANSS2 and (iv) the ADB's experience on the support for "the Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Corridor development focusing on cross border transport". Finally, JICA made an announcement to conduct the study focusing on strategic partnership mechanism in the transport sector for following up the independent monitoring of the Hanoi Core Statement. 2.2. The progress of the partnership group and support for implementation of the SEDP (1) Capacity Building for VRA In accordance with Decree 51/2008/ND-CP, VRA was upgraded to a General Road Administration (GRA). In the process of VRA's restructuring, some PMUs under MOT (PMU18, PMU5, PMU9 and PMU Bien Dong) were transferred to new VRA in 2008. The draft official decision on functions of GRA including establishment of new departments under GRA has been submitted to the Prime Minister, and has been uploaded to the website of the Office of the Government (OOG) for public hearing and consultation. Under new structure proposed by VRA, GRA is composed of 8 Departments, 4 Regional Road Management Units (2, 4, 5 and 7), 4 Transport Technical Schools, 1 Road Magazine Publishing House and 5 PMUs (2, 4, 5, 6 and 7). Some departments will be newly established i.e. Traffic Safety department, Construction Management Bureau etc. VRA has been elaborating an official proposal on implementation of the road maintenance fund which was decided to establish in accordance with the new Road Law approved in November 2008 and to become full effect from July 1st 2009. DfID requested VRA to elaborate a feasible plan for the formulation and approval of the road maintenance fund management mechanism with close consultation with the related agencies and not to draw a conclusion on that in a hasty manner. The partnership group members recommended VRA to keep its efforts to prepare the draft proposal of implementation of the road maintenance fund carefully in close cooperation with the related agencies especially MOT, and MOF. In the 18th Transport Partnership Group Meeting, VRA and JICA SAPI-2 Team shared the result of the study on establishment of sustainable road and bridge maintenance and management. SAPI-2 Team concluded that the existing HDM 4 is the appropriate software as a road maintenance planning module in comparison with the existing ROSY PLAN, which is required a substantial improvement and maintenance for its operation. ROSY Base will continue to be utilized as a database for road infrastructure for planning by HDM 4 whose function does not include database. However, further improvement of ROSY Base is necessary for smooth and accurate operation of HDM 4. In response to the recommendation of SAPI-2, VRA will make effort to facilitate authorization process of the selected software(s) for road and bridge management and to strengthen linkage between maintenance planning and its budgeting system for securing appropriate maintenance budget. JICA 47 recognized the importance of making appropriate budget plan for road maintenance at nation level. However, JICA also recognized the importance of capacity enhancement for road maintenance at local level, such as Regional Road Management Unit (RRMU) or Road Technique Center (RTC), in inspection of road condition, in inputting data into an simple system, in using this system for RRMU and RTC's daily work such as diagnostic of road condition and selection of appropriate repair method. JICA expressed willingness to discuss with VRA for technical cooperation in capacity enhancement at local level. DfID shared its experience of assistance for rural road maintenance and management and expressed the importance for Government and donors to agree on a sustainable technical solution for rural road maintenance system. (2) Traffic Safety In the 18th meeting, the newly established Department of Traffic Safety in MOT shared new challenges for capacity building in the field of traffic safety especially on regal framework and institutional capacity development. NSTC shared contents of the draft final report of the study for Traffic Safety Master Plan in Vietnam, which has been conducted since August 2007.NTSC shared the overall progress in the field of traffic safety. In the meeting, NTSC reminded the importance of 1) strengthening of NTSC's institutional capacity, 2) adequate deployment of full-time staff to NTSC for smooth project implementation, and 3) capacity building of newly established Department of Traffic Safety under MOT'. JICA reminded the importance of 1) early approval of National Traffic Safety Master Plan, 2) organizational improvement of NTSC i.e. upgrading its status under the Deputy Prime Minister's control and 3) involvement of private/public sector for traffic safety culture development. The partnership group confirmed the necessity of early approval of National Traffic Safety Master Plan based on suggestions from JICA's development study. (3) Expressway Development Strategy In the 18th meeting, MOT updated the implementation progress of on-going projects and plan of upcoming prioritized sections in a near future. There are 9 sections which construction works are underway namely Ha Noi ­ Hai Phong, Cau Gie ­ Ninh Binh, Ha Noi ­ Thai Nguyen, Ha Noi ­ Lao Cai, HCM ­ Long Thanh - Dau Giay, HCM ­ Trung Luong, Trung Luong ­ My Thuan ­ Can Tho, Bien Hoa ­ Vung Tau, and Lang ­ Hoa Lac, covering the length of 743km approximately 1/3 of the total 2,100km expressway network. These projects are scheduled to be accomplished and put into operation by 2015. Other potential projects that are put on ADB PPTA list including Hanoi ­ Lang Son, Ha Long ­ Mong Cai, Ben Luc ­ Long Thanh, or under study by WB and JICA for Da Nang ­ Quang Ngai. MOT has been seeking various investment resources not limited to ODA funds but also domestic and private commercial funds, especially for the Ninh Binh-Thanh Hoa section, the Dau Giay-Phan Thiet section, the Dau Giay ­ Da Lat section. The Master Plan for Expressway Development has been put forward to the Prime Minister since April 2008, defines the strategy of having the total network of 5,753 km of expressway nation wide, and developing 2,639km of expressway by 2020. Regarding demarcation between the related executing agencies on expressway development i.e. VEC (Vietnam Expressway Corporation) and VRA, MOT shows its intention to elaborate suitable expressway development and maintenance framework based on the experiences of neighboring countries with special attention to ownership and asset management of expressway. MOT and the related donors reconfirmed the importance of feedbacks from VITRANSS 2 for their enhancing prioritization. JICA expressed its willingness to support 1) Noi Bai International Airport Terminal 2, 2) Lach Huyen Sea Port and 3) North-South Expressway based upon the Vietnamese Government's request and the prioritization made by VITRANSS 2. The partnership group confirmed the necessity of alignment of donors' supports to MOT's expressway development plan in order to avoid aid duplication and inconsistency for comprehensive development of expressway in Vietnam. (4) Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Corridor (Cross Border Transport Agreement) As the regional road linkages are developing through construction of transport corridors, the importance of the "software aspects," i.e., facilitation of smoother movement of goods and people is emphasized. In the meeting, ADB shared its experience in supporting the GMS countries in developing and implementing GMS cross- border transportation agreement (CBTA), comprising framework agreement and 20 Annexes and Protocols. GMS CBTA aims as an eventual goal to introduce SSI/SWI (single stop/single window inspection) at the border checkpoints by concerned agencies (customs, immigration and quarantine as well as public security, etc.) of the two countries. Recent implementation of the recognition of traffic rights by Viet Nam and Cambodia at Moc Bai-Bavet checkpoint under the bilateral agreement provides for a good start, and on 11 June along the East-West Corridor, Thailand, Lao, Cambodia and Vietnam will start implementing CBTA with regard to the recognition of traffic rights and the introduction of Customs Transitory System. Actions for the next 6 months at mile stones for 2009 48 (1) VRA institutional restructuring VRA will finalize the draft implementation plan for the road maintenance fund in close coordination with the related Ministries and agencies by the end of 2009. VRA will make efforts to play a leading role so that all of the processes for project planning implementation and maintenance under VRA will be carried out smoothly. In order to secure appropriate amount of budget for maintenance and new investment, MOT and VRA will keep efforts to keep close coordination with MOF. Donors will support the effort to be made by MOT and VRA. VRA will make efforts to facilitate authorization process of the selected software and database for road and bridge management and to strengthen linkage between maintenance planning and its budgeting system to secure appropriate amount of budget for maintenance. Donors keep supporting in VRA for necessary capacity building. (2) Traffic Safety NTSC and TSPMU will make effort to facilitate approval process of National Traffic Safety Master Plan based on suggestions from JICA's development study. NTSC and TSPMU will keep efforts to strengthen its coordinating and leading function/capacity in the field of traffic safety in order to align and mobilize diversified stakeholders' resources as well as donors' supports. Donors will support this effort in close coordination each other. (3) Expressway Development Strategy MOT will play a key role to align several resources in order to maximize effectiveness of investment and resources from the government, public and private enterprises and donors. MOT and donors will keep efforts to keep dialogues each other and to elaborate a "comprehensive express highway development plan". The partnership group members will continue to share feedbacks from VITRANSS 2. 49 Appendix TRANSPORT SECTOR ASSISTANCE PROJECTS IN VIETNAM TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP GROUP PROJECT DONOR STATUS DURATION CONTACT Road Improvement ADB Completed 1993-2001 Sai Gon Port ADB Completed 1994-2001 Second Road Improvement ADB Completed 1997-2003 Third Road Improvement (including Implementation of ADB Completed 1998-2005 ldthang@adb.org Sector Development Policy - ISDP component) GMS: HCMC-Phnom Penh Highway ADB Completed 1998-2005 ldthang@adb.org GMS: East-West Corridor ADB Completed 2000-2006 ldthang@adb.org Provincial Roads Improvement ADB Substantially 2001-2009 ldthang@adb.org completed Central Region Transport Network ADB Ongoing 2005-2010 ldthang@adb.org GMS: Ha Noi - Lao Cai Railway ADB/AFD Ongoing 2006-2010 akunth@adb.ortg salomons@groupe-afd.org megueullec@groupe-afd.org, sylvain.biard@missioneco.org Kunming-Haiphong Transport Corridor: Noi Bai-Lao Cai ADB Ongoing Investment 2007-2008 ytanaka@adb.org Expressway (Engineering Loan) Loans ldthang@adb.org Noi Bai-Lao Cai Expressway (Investment Loan) Ongoing 2008-2012 GMS: Southern Coastal Corridor ADB/EDCF Implementation 2007-2011 sdate@adb.org (Korea)/AusAid ldthang@adb.org Ho Chi Minh­ Long Thanh ­ Dau Giay Expressway ADB/JICA Engineering Loan 2008-2009 ldthang@adb.org Engineering Loan Ongoing Investment Loan Ongoing 2008-2013 ytanaka@adb.org Ha Noi Metro Rail System ADB/AFD/EIB Preparation Stage Firm 2010 rvalkovic@adb.org ldthang@adb.org HCMC Metro Rail Urban Mass Rapid Transit Line 2 ADB/KfW/EIB Preparation Stage Firm 2010 rvalkovic@adb.org Both TA Loan and Investment Loan Standby 2011 ldthang@adb.org Central Mekong Delta Transport Connectivity ADB/AusAID/Kor Preparation Stage Firm 2010 pbroch@adb.org ea ldthang@adb.org 50 Second Northern GMS Transport Network ADB Preparation Stage Firm 2010 jmiller@adb.org ldthang@adb.org HCMC Second Ring Road ADB Preparation Stage Standby 2010 ytanaka@adb.org ldthang@adb.org Noi Bai-Lao Cai Expressway (Supplementary Loan) ADB Preparation Stage Standby 2010 ytanaka@adb.org ldthang@adb.org Transport Connections in Northern Mountainous ADB Preparation Stage Firm 2011 rvalkovic@adb.org Provinces ldthang@adb.org GMS: Ha Noi ­ Lang Son Expressway ADB Preparation Stage Firm 2011 ytanaka@adb.org ldthang@adb.org GMS: Southern Coastal Corridor, Phase 2 ADB Conceptual Firm 2011 sdate@adb.org ldthang@adb.org My Thuan-Can Tho Expressway ADB/JICA Conceptual Standby 2011 ytanaka@adb.org Firm 2012 ldthang@adb.org GMS: Ha Long ­ Mong Cai Expressway ADB Conceptual Firm 2012 ytanaka@adb.org ldthang@adb.org GMS Railway Project ADB Conceptual Firm 2012 jmiller@adb.org ldthang@adb.org Ben Luc ­ Long Thanh Expressway ADB Conceptual Firm 2012 ytanaka@adb.org ldthang@adb.org HCMC Ring Road No.3 and 4 ADB Conceptual Standby 2012 ytanaka@adb.org ldthang@adb.org Review of Rural Road Strategy DFID Completed May 2005 ­ April Simon Lucas 2006 s-lucas@dfid.gov.uk Transport sector co-ordination DFID/JICA Completed November 2004 - Yoshifumi Omura, (SEDP inputs and other co-ord. support) March 2006 JICA:Omura.Yoshifumi@jica.go.jp Simon Lucas: s-lucas@dfid.gov.uk Bridge Inspection and Repair Project Finland/ Ongoing 2003-2006 thaiduckhai@cftd-group.com FINNVERA Mauri.Mottonen@finnroad.fi F/S on rehabilitation of Long Bien bridge France (MoF) Completed 2004 sylvain.biard@missioneco.org F/S on tramway line France (MoF) Completed 2004 sylvain.biard@missioneco.org F/S on pilot rail urban transportation line France (MoF) Completed 2005 sylvain.biard@missioneco.org Modernization of the signaling and telecommunications France (MoF) Completed sylvain.biard@missioneco.org system of the Hanoi - Vinh railway (phase 1) 51 Modernization of the signaling and telecommunications France (MoF) Ongoing sylvain.biard@missioneco.org system of the Hanoi - Vinh railway (phase 2) Procurement of equipments for the repairing of France (MoF) Completed sylvain.biard@missioneco.org locomotives Rehabilitation of 4 railway tunnels at Hai Van Pass France (MoF) Completed sylvain.biard@missioneco.org Procurement of equipments for the maintenance of the rail France (MoF) Ongoing sylvain.biard@missioneco.org track between Hanoi and Vinh Hanoi Pilot Metro Line Nhon - Hanoi Railway Station France Ongoing 2007 - 2010 sylvain.biard@missioneco.org (MoF/AFD/ megueullec@groupe-afd.org FFEM) salomons@groupe-afd.org Vietnam Railways Project GTZ Ongoing 2001 - 2006 Nguyen Van Tau gtzvr@hn.vnn.vn Hanoi ­ Ho Chi Minh City Railways Bridge Rehabilitation JICA Completed 1994 - 2005 Yusuke Sekiguchi, JICA Project Sekiguchi.Yusuke@jica.go.jp National Highway No.1 Bridge Rehabilitation Project JICA Completed 1994 - 1999 Ai Miura, JICA Miura.Ai@jica.go.jp National Highway No. 5 Improvement Project JICA Completed 1994 - 2004 Ai Miura, JICA Miura.Ai@jica.go.jp National Highway No. 1 Bridge Rehabilitation Project JICA Completed 1996 - 2005 Ai Miura, JICA Miura.Ai@jica.go.jp Hai Van Tunnel Construction Project JICA Completed 1997 - 2007 Ai Miura, JICA Miura.Ai@jica.go.jp National Highway No. 10 Improvement Project JICA Completed 1998 - 2007 Ai Miura, JICA Miura.Ai@jica.go.jp Second National Highway No. 1 Bridge Rehabilitation JICA Completed 1999 - 2006 Ai Miura, JICA Project Miura.Ai@jica.go.jp Da Nang Port Improvement Project JICA Completed 1999 - 2006 Yusuke Sekiguchi, JICA Sekiguchi.Yusuke@jica.go.jp Coastal Communication System Project in Southern JICA Completed 2000 - 2007 Yusuke Sekiguchi, JICA Vietnam Sekiguchi.Yusuke@jica.go.jp Binh Bridge Construction Project JICA Completed 2000 - 2007 Ai Miura, JICA Miura.Ai@jica.go.jp Bai Chay Bridge Construction Project JICA Completed 2001 - 2008 Ai Miura, JICA Miura.Ai@jica.go.jp The Study on Urban Transport Master Plan and Feasibility JICA Completed 2002 - 2004 PhanBinh.VT@jica.go.jp 52 Study in Ho Chi Minh Metropolitan Area (HOUTRANS) HoangThiTuat.VT@jica.go.jp Project for strengthening training capabilities for Road JICA Completed 2001 - 2006 Kobayashi.Kenichi@jica.go.jp Construction Workers in Transport Technical and HoangThiTuat.VT@jica.go.jp Professional School No.1 Detailed Design Study of CAI MEP-THI VAI International JICA Completed 2004 - 2006 Kobayashi.Kenichi@jica.go.jp Terminals HoangThiTuat.VT@jica.go.jp The Comprehensive Urban Development Programme in JICA Completed 2004 - 2007 Kobayashi.Kenichi@jica.go.jp Hanoi Capital City (HAIDEP) HoangThiTuat.VT@jica.go.jp Building Railway Technical Standard Set JICA Completed 2007 - 2009 PhanBinh.VT@jica.go.jp HoangThiTuat.VT@jica.go.jp Cai Lan Port Expansion Project JICA Ongoing 1996 - 2009 Yusuke Sekiguchi, JICA Sekiguchi.Yusuke@jica.go.jp Hanoi Urban Infrastructure Development Project JICA Ongoing 1997 - 2008 Taro Katsurai, JICA Katsurai.Taro@jica.go.jp National Highway No. 18 Improvement Project JICA Completed 1998 - 2008 Ai Miura, JICA Miura.Ai@jica.go.jp Rural Development and Living Standard Improvement JICA Completed 1999 - 2006 Nguyen Thi Van Anh, JICA Project III (Rural Road) NguyenThiVanAnh.VT@jica.go.jp Transport Infrastructure Development Project in Hanoi JICA Ongoing 1999 - 2010 Kenichi Kobayashi, JICA Kobayashi.Kenichi@jica.go.jp Hai Phong Port Rehabilitation Project (Phase II) JICA Ongoing 2000 - 2010 Yusuke Sekiguchi, JICA Sekiguchi.Yusuke@jica.go.jp Sai Gon East-West Highway Construction Project JICA Ongoing 2000 - 2010 Yusuke Sekiguchi, JICA Sekiguchi.Yusuke@jica.go.jp Red River (Thanh Tri) Bridge Construction Project JICA Ongoing 2000 - 2010 Ai Miura, JICA Miura.Ai@jica.go.jp Can Tho Bridge Construction Project JICA Ongoing 2001 - 2009 Ai Miura, JICA Miura.Ai@jica.go.jp National Highway No. 1 Bypass Road Construction JICA Ongoing 2001 - 2009 Ai Miura, JICA Project Miura.Ai@jica.go.jp Tan Son Nhat International Airport Terminal Construction JICA Completed 2002 - 2008 Yusuke Sekiguchi, JICA Project Sekiguchi.Yusuke@jica.go.jp Small-Scale Pro Poor Infrastructure Development Project JICA Ongoing 2003 - 2009 Nguyen Thi Van Anh, JICA (Rural Road) NguyenThiVanAnh.VT@jica.go.jp Third National Highway No. 1 Bridge Rehabilitation JICA Ongoing 2003 - 2009 Ai Miura, JICA 53 Project Miura.Ai@jica.go.jp Transport Sector Loan for National Road Network JICA Ongoing 2004 - 2010 Ai Miura, JICA Improvement Miura.Ai@jica.go.jp Hanoi ­ Ho Chi Minh City Railway Line Bridges Safety JICA Ongoing 2004 - 2009 Yusuke Sekiguchi, JICA Improvement Project Sekiguchi.Yusuke@jica.go.jp Cai Mep-Thi Vai International Port Construction Project JICA Ongoing 2004 - 2012 Yusuke Sekiguchi, JICA Sekiguchi.Yusuke@jica.go.jp New National Highway No.3 and Regional Road Network JICA Ongoing 2005 - 2011 Ai Miura, JICA Project Miura.Ai@jica.go.jp The Project on the Improvement of Port Management JICA Ongoing 2005 - 2009 Kobayashi.Kenichi@jica.go.jp System HoangThiTuat.VT@jica.go.jp The Study for Roadside Stations Master Plan JICA Completed 2006 - 2009 BinhPhan.vt@jica.go.jp HoangThiTuat.VT@jica.go.jp The Project for Traffic Safety Human Resource JICA Ongoing 2006 - 2009 Kobayashi.Kenichi@jica.go.jp Development in Hanoi (TRAHUD) HoangThiTuat.VT@jica.go.jp Small-Scale Pro Poor Infrastructure Development Project JICA Ongoing 2006 - 2010 Nguyen Thi Van Anh, JICA (II) (Rural Road) NguyenThiVanAnh.VT@jica.go.jp Nhat Tan Bridge Construction Project JICA Ongoing 2006 - 2012 Ai Miura, JICA Miura.Ai@jica.go.jp Northern Vietnam National Roads Traffic Safety JICA Ongoing 2007 - 2012 Kenichi Kobayashi, JICA Improvement Project Kobayashi.Kenichi@jica.go.jp North-South Expressway Construction Project HCM-Long JICA Ongoing 2007 - 2012 Yusuke Sekiguchi, JICA Thanh-Dau Giay Sekiguchi.Yusuke@jica.go.jp The Study for Traffic Safety Master Plan JICA Ongoing 2007 - 2009 Kobayashi.Kenichi@jica.go.jp HoangThiTuat.VT@jica.go.jp The Study on the National Transport Development JICA Ongoing 2007 - 2009 BinhPhan.vt@jica.go.jp Strategy (VITRANSS2) HoangThiTuat.VT@jica.go.jp Advisor on Railway Planning and Management JICA Ongoing 2007 - 2009 PhanBinh.VT@jica.go.jp HoangThiTuat.VT@jica.go.jp Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Construction Project JICA Ongoing 2007 - 2019 Yusuke Sekiguchi, JICA (Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien Section (Line 1)) Sekiguchi.Yusuke@jica.go.jp Master Plan Study on the Development of the New JICA Ongoing 2008 - 2010 Kobayashi.Kenichi@jica.go.jp CNS/ATM System HoangThiTuat.VT@jica.go.jp Hanoi City Urban Railway Construction Project (Line 1) JICA Ongoing 2008 - 2017 Yusuke Sekiguchi, JICA (Engineering Service) Sekiguchi.Yusuke@jica.go.jp 54 Hanoi Ring Road No. 3 Construction Project JICA Ongoing 2008 - 2013 Ai Miura, JICA Miura.Ai@jica.go.jp Transport Sector Loan for National Road Network JICA Ongoing 2009 - 2012 Ai Miura, JICA Improvement Phase 2 Miura.Ai@jica.go.jp Hanoi City Urban Railway Construction Project (Nam JICA Under preparation 2009 - 2020 Yusuke Sekiguchi, JICA Thang Long ­ Tran Hung Dao Section (Line2)) (I) Sekiguchi.Yusuke@jica.go.jp Advisor for management, operation, and maintenance of JICA Under preparation 2009 - 2011 PhanBinh.VT@jica.go.jp expressway system HoangThiTuat.VT@jica.go.jp Project for Enhancing Capacity of College of Transport JICA Under preparation 2009 - 2013? PhanBinh.VT@jica.go.jp HoangThiTuat.VT@jica.go.jp The Project for Reconstruction of Bridges in the Central GOJ/JICA Pending 2003 - 2006 Hayashi.Masayuki@jica.go.jp Area ­ Phase 2 HoangThiTuat.VT@jica.go.jp Project for Reconstruction of Bridges in the Northern GOJ/JICA Pending 2005 - 2008 Hayashi.Masayuki@jica.go.jp Mountenious Provinces HoangThiTuat.VT@jica.go.jp National Road No. 18 Construction KEXIM Completed 1995 - 1999 Moon Jae Jeong mjj01@koreaexim.go.kr Dinh Hanh Ha dinhhanhha@koreaexim.go.kr GMS: Southern Coastal Corridor Project KEXIM/ADB Ongoing 2007 - 2011 Rach Gia Bypass KEXIM Ongoing 2007 - 2011 Moon Jae Jeong mjj01@koreaexim.go.kr Dinh Hanh Ha dinhhanhha@koreaexim.go.kr Hanoi ­ Hai Phong Expressway (Section 7) KEXIM Ongoing 2008 - 2011 Moon Jae Jeong mjj01@koreaexim.go.kr Dinh Hanh Ha dinhhanhha@koreaexim.go.kr Hanoi ­ Hai Phong Expressway (Section 10) KEXIM Loan Appraisal Stage Firm 2009 Moon Jae Jeong mjj01@koreaexim.go.kr Dinh Hanh Ha dinhhanhha@koreaexim.go.kr Vinh Thinh Bridge KEXIM Loan Appraisal Stage Firm 2009 Moon Jae Jeong mjj01@koreaexim.go.kr Dinh Hanh Ha dinhhanhha@koreaexim.go.kr 55 Lo Te ­ Rach Soi Highway KEXIM Under preparation Firm 2010 Moon Jae Jeong mjj01@koreaexim.go.kr Dinh Hanh Ha dinhhanhha@koreaexim.go.kr Transport Connections in Northern Mountainous KEXIM Conceptual 2010 Moon Jae Jeong Provinces mjj01@koreaexim.go.kr Dinh Hanh Ha dinhhanhha@koreaexim.go.kr Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road No. 4 KEXIM Conceptual 2011 Moon Jae Jeong mjj01@koreaexim.go.kr Dinh Hanh Ha dinhhanhha@koreaexim.go.kr Central Mekong Delta Transport Connectivity KEXIM Conceptual 2010 Moon Jae Jeong mjj01@koreaexim.go.kr Dinh Hanh Ha dinhhanhha@koreaexim.go.kr GMS Hanoi ­ Lang Son Expressway KEXIM Conceptual 2011 Moon Jae Jeong mjj01@koreaexim.go.kr Dinh Hanh Ha dinhhanhha@koreaexim.go.kr Feasibility Study on Urban Railway System of Hanoi KfW completed 1999-2000 Mr. Nguyen Van Minh NguyenVan.Minh@kfw.de Supply of Modern Railway Cranes KfW completed 2000-2003 Mr. Nguyen Van Minh NguyenVan.Minh@kfw.de Workshop Programme Danang KfW Ongoing 1999 - 2005 Mr. Nguyen Van Minh NguyenVan.Minh@kfw.de Main Line Locomotives KfW Ongoing 2001-2007 Mr. Nguyen Van Minh NguyenVan.Minh@kfw.de Hopper Suction Dredger KfW completed 2000-2005 Mr. Nguyen Van Minh NguyenVan.Minh@kfw.de Vietnam Railway Control Center KfW Ongoing 2007-2010 Mr. Nguyen Van Minh NguyenVan.Minh@kfw.de Urban Transport Improvement Project WB Completed 11/1998 - 06/2005 Shomik Mehndiratta smehndiratta@worldbank.org Inland Waterways and Port Rehabilitation Project WB Completed 03/1998 - 04/2006 Simon Ellis sellis1@worldbank.org 56 Rural Transport Project WB Completed 1996 - 2000 Phuong Thi Minh Tran ptran1@worldbank.org Second Rural Transport Project WB Completed 2000 - 06/2006 Phuong Thi Minh Tran ptran1@worldbank.org Highway Rehabilitation Project WB Completed 1993 - 2001 Dung Anh Hoang dhoang1@worldbank.org Second Highway Rehabilitation Project WB Completed 1997 - 2005 Dung Anh Hoang dhoang1@worldbank.org Multi-Modal Transport Regulatory Review (PPIAF) WB Completed 5/2005 - 1/2006 Baher El-Hifnawi melhifnawi@worldbank.org Study on Consolidation and Development of bus System WB Completed 6/2005 - 1/2006 Shomik Mehndiratta in HCMC (PPIAF) smehndiratta@worldbank.org Rural Road Surfacing Research WB/DFID/ Completed 05/2003 - 03/2009 Jasper Cook SEACAP jaspcook@btinternet.com Expressway Development (Da Nang ­ Quang Ngai) WB Under preparation 04/2010 - 04/2016 Simon Ellis Project sellis1@worldbank.org Phuong Thi Minh Tran ptran1@worldbank.org Hai Phong Urban Transport Project WB Under preparation 2010 - 2015 Reindert Westra rwestra@worldbank.org Cuong Duc Dang cdang@worldbank.org Van Anh Thi Tran vtran@worldbank.org Mekong Transport and Flood Protection Project WB Ongoing 10/2001 - 12/2010 Maria Margarita Nunez mnunez@worldbank.org Dung Anh Hoang dhoang1@worldbank.org Mekong Transport and Flood Protection Project ­ WB Ongoing 11/2007 - 12/2010 Dung Anh Hoang Additional Financing dhoang1@worldbank.org Road Network Improvement Project WB Ongoing 10/2004 - 12/2009 Phuong Thi Minh Tran ptran1@worldbank.org Road Network Improvement Project ­ Additional WB Under preparation 2009 - 2012 Phuong Thi Minh Tran Financing ptran1@worldbank.org Road Safety Project WB Ongoing 03/2006 - 12/2009 Van Anh Thi Tran vtran@worldbank.org 57 Hanoi Urban Transport Development Project WB Ongoing 03/2008 - 12/2013 Reindert Westra rwestra@worldbank.org Cuong Duc Dang cdang@worldbank.org Van Anh Thi Tran vtran@worldbank.org GEF - Hanoi Urban Transport Development Project WB On-going 03/2008 - 12/2013 Reindert Westra rwestra@worldbank.org Cuong Duc Dang cdang@worldbank.org Van Anh Thi Tran vtran@worldbank.org Mekong Transport Infrastructure Development project WB Ongoing 05/2007 - 12/2013 Simon Ellis sellis1@worldbank.org Dung Anh Hoang dhoang1@worldbank.org Northern Delta Transport Development Project WB Ongoing 06/2008 - 06/2014 Baher El-Hifnawi melhifnawi@worldbank.org Dung Anh Hoang dhoang1@worldbank.org Third Rural Transport Project WB/DFID Ongoing 09/2007 - 12/2011 Phuong Thi Minh Tran ptran1@worldbank.org Simon Ellis sellis1@worldbank.org Ngo Thi Quynh Hoa nq-hoa@dfid.gov.uk Third Rural Transport Project ­ Additional Financing WB/DFID Under preparation 07/2009 - 07/2012 Phuong Thi Minh Tran ptran1@worldbank.org Simon Ellis sellis1@worldbank.org 58