MAE, MERA ensure clean water access for ethnic minority, mountainous communities

On May 12, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) and Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs (MERA) held a signing ceremony for the "Coordinated program on sustainable development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for 2026-2030," with priority placed on addressing clean water access for people in highland areas.

The signing ceremony was co-chaired by Party Central Committee member and Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trinh Viet Hung, along with Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Nguyen Dinh Khang. The event was also attended by leaders of specialized departments from both ministries.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang emphasized that ethnic minority and mountainous areas have always been regarded as the national protective frontier, playing a vital role in national defense, security, and sustainable development. Despite numerous support programs implemented in recent years, these regions continue to face significant challenges, particularly in the northern mountainous provinces.

According to Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang, the coordination program between the two ministries covers a wide range of practical objectives, leveraging each ministry’s expertise to help address urgent issues in highland areas. A key task is the effective implementation of national target programs on new-style rural development, sustainable poverty reduction, and socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the 2026-2030 period. Among the top priorities is access to clean water, as developing infrastructure to provide water for daily use remains extremely challenging in many communities.

Sharing the same view, Minister Trinh Viet Hung noted that the biggest challenges in mountainous areas are not only financial constraints but also difficult terrain, geological conditions, and local living practices. Many infrastructure projects in these regions are significantly more costly than in lowland areas due to scattered settlements and long distances between communities, which complicates construction and service delivery.

Regarding the collaborative program, Minister Trinh Viet Hung emphasized that it is implemented under the Prime Minister's direction, with close attention from the Party General Secretary and the State President. Therefore, it requires high political determination and close coordination between the two ministries.

The two ministers agreed that, immediately after the signing ceremony, specialized agencies must begin implementation with seriousness, scientific rigor, and efficiency, aiming to deliver concrete results on clean water access in several border communes in mountainous areas as early as 2026.

Under the plan, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will conduct a field survey in Tuyen Quang province shortly after the signing. This locality is considered to still face many difficulties, reflecting the specific characteristics of the northern mountainous region, and has been selected as the first pilot site for implementation.

Following the survey and pilot phase in selected areas, the two ministries will continue to study and develop appropriate policies tailored to the conditions of each commune to advise the Government on more effective support mechanisms for ethnic minority and mountainous regions.

In addition to the issue of access to clean water, participants at the meeting emphasized the need to develop sustainable livelihoods for people living in mountainous areas.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep stressed the importance of developing effective production models that can be widely replicated, thereby creating tangible improvements in local living standards. At the same time, he noted that policies for ethnic minority communities and people in remote and disadvantaged areas must be implemented comprehensively and decisively.

According to Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep, the related national target programs have now basically met the conditions for implementation and could be launched as early as June 1, instead of the previously planned timeline of July 1.

Key areas of cooperation

- Promoting socio-economic development and improving the living standards of ethnic minority and mountainous communities.

- Strengthening natural resource management, environmental protection, and climate change adaptation.

- Enhancing community capacity for disaster prevention and risk reduction in ethnic minority and mountainous areas.

- Effectively implementing the National Target Programs on new-style rural development, sustainable poverty reduction, and socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the 2026 - 2030 period.