PRS & Environment in Viet Nam 1 Poverty Reduction Strategies and Environment in Viet Nam Dr Truong Manh Tien Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

PRS & Environment in Viet Nam 2 Structure of the presentation 1. Summary conclusions 2. Social economic development planning in Viet Nam 3. The interim-PRSP 4. The CPRGS & Millennium Development Goals 5. Three key strategies compared 6. Further social economic development planning 7. Advocacy and learning on poverty-environment links 8. Introduction to the Viet Nam Poverty - Environment Initiative

PRS & Environment in Viet Nam 3 1.Summary conclusions Formulation of Poverty Reduction Strategies important for strengthened cooperation between Ministries and partnership with donors Formulation of Poverty Reduction Strategies important for strengthened cooperation between Ministries and partnership with donors Mutual trust and openness increased on all sides Mutual trust and openness increased on all sides Many opportunities for inclusion of environmental concerns in social-economic development strategies and plans Many opportunities for inclusion of environmental concerns in social-economic development strategies and plans Viet Nam Development Goals, based on the Millennium Development Goals were important Viet Nam Development Goals, based on the Millennium Development Goals were important Advocacy works differently in Viet Nam Advocacy works differently in Viet Nam Many sustainable development goals, targets and indicators, but more is needed and happening Many sustainable development goals, targets and indicators, but more is needed and happening

PRS & Environment in Viet Nam 4 2.Social economic development planning in Viet Nam Following various consultations and studies: Social Economic Development Strategy (SEDS) Social Economic Development Strategy (SEDS) Social Economic Development Plan Social Economic Development Plan And, for example: Hunger Eradication and Poverty Reduction Strategy Hunger Eradication and Poverty Reduction Strategy National Strategy for Environmental Protection (NSEP) until 2010 and vision toward 2020 National Strategy for Environmental Protection (NSEP) until 2010 and vision toward 2020 Strategic Orientation for Sustainable Development (Viet Nam Agenda21) Strategic Orientation for Sustainable Development (Viet Nam Agenda21)

PRS & Environment in Viet Nam 5 3.The interim-PRSP Over the period of preparing the SEDS the Government and donors worked on the interim-PRSP (final in 2001). Three new things: The 1993 & 1998 Viet Nam Household Living Standard surveys showed the trends of growth and poverty reduction (done with technical assistance) The 1993 & 1998 Viet Nam Household Living Standard surveys showed the trends of growth and poverty reduction (done with technical assistance) Participatory Poverty Assessments (PPAs) in 1999 in 4 provinces helped understanding the causes of poverty and local perceptions of poverty (a collaborative effort) Participatory Poverty Assessments (PPAs) in 1999 in 4 provinces helped understanding the causes of poverty and local perceptions of poverty (a collaborative effort) Successful informal discussions between officials from several Ministries and the international community Successful informal discussions between officials from several Ministries and the international community

PRS & Environment in Viet Nam 6 4.The CPRGS & Millennium Development Goals The Government created an Inter Ministerial Working Group (IMWG) for formulating a full PRSP, the Comprehensive Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy (CPRGS) in 2001 In joint working groups Vietnamised the Millennium Development Goals and Targets into VDGs, which became central to the CPRGS. This included a paper on environmental goals, some of which have clear links to poverty reduction. In joint working groups Vietnamised the Millennium Development Goals and Targets into VDGs, which became central to the CPRGS. This included a paper on environmental goals, some of which have clear links to poverty reduction. There were more (informal) meetings with the international community There were more (informal) meetings with the international community There were local consultations on the draft CPRGS in early 2002, following PPA methodology (again, a collaborative effort) There were local consultations on the draft CPRGS in early 2002, following PPA methodology (again, a collaborative effort)

PRS & Environment in Viet Nam 7 4.The CPRGS & Millennium Development Goals (continued) The CPRGS was approved in 2002 and has a lifespan of three years. It is the basis for further drawing rights of on loan facilities of the World Bank and IMF. The CPRGS was approved in 2002 and has a lifespan of three years. It is the basis for further drawing rights of on loan facilities of the World Bank and IMF. Endorsement by other donors: the CPRGS has encouraged other aid. Endorsement by other donors: the CPRGS has encouraged other aid. Positive reception by the international business community; the CPRGS is a key factor in rising Foreign Direct Investment Positive reception by the international business community; the CPRGS is a key factor in rising Foreign Direct Investment The Prime Ministers preface to the CPRGS shows that this strategy is seen as an action plan The Prime Ministers preface to the CPRGS shows that this strategy is seen as an action plan Implementation is overseen by the IMWG Implementation is overseen by the IMWG A CPRGS progress report in 2003 was based on analysis of the third survey of household expenditure data (2002) and PPAs in 12 provinces A CPRGS progress report in 2003 was based on analysis of the third survey of household expenditure data (2002) and PPAs in 12 provinces

PRS & Environment in Viet Nam 8 4.The CPRGS & Millennium Development Goals (continued) The CPRGS goals, targets and indicators on poverty reduction & environment nexus are about …. Forestry, e.g. for livelihoods of ethnic minorities Forestry, e.g. for livelihoods of ethnic minorities Urban housing, for prevention of slums Urban housing, for prevention of slums Urban waste water, with impact on health Urban waste water, with impact on health Solid waste, to reduce health risks Solid waste, to reduce health risks Water and air pollution, to reduce health risks Water and air pollution, to reduce health risks Water supply and environmental sanitation Water supply and environmental sanitation Individual and collective land-use rights of ethnic minorities, for food security and livelihoods Individual and collective land-use rights of ethnic minorities, for food security and livelihoods Names of husband and wife on land-use certificates Names of husband and wife on land-use certificates Access to electricity and irrigation water for poor communes, for livelihoods and food security Access to electricity and irrigation water for poor communes, for livelihoods and food security

PRS & Environment in Viet Nam 9 5.Three key strategies compared CPRGS & NSEP & Viet Nam Agenda 21 Highly consistent; no contradictions. Highly consistent; no contradictions. People are central in all three People are central in all three CPRGS is about growth & poverty; is broader CPRGS is about growth & poverty; is broader NSEP & Viet Nam Agenda 21: NSEP & Viet Nam Agenda 21: Focus on environmental sustainability; Focus on environmental sustainability; Propose economic instruments for incentives to protect the environment and economic growth Propose economic instruments for incentives to protect the environment and economic growth Promote investments (e.g. in water supply) and technologies (e.g. sustainable agriculture) as the main ways to improve environmental sustainability and reduce poverty Promote investments (e.g. in water supply) and technologies (e.g. sustainable agriculture) as the main ways to improve environmental sustainability and reduce poverty The CPRGS stresses popular participation in M&E and enhancing grassroots democracy; the others talk of mobilisation of the community, but do not links to legislation on grassroots democracy The CPRGS stresses popular participation in M&E and enhancing grassroots democracy; the others talk of mobilisation of the community, but do not links to legislation on grassroots democracy

PRS & Environment in Viet Nam 10 6.Further social economic development planning Key aspects of the i-PRSP and CPRGS processes are being adopted in the formulation of the national Social Economic Development Plan : cooperation between Ministries, partnership with donors, local consultations Key aspects of the i-PRSP and CPRGS processes are being adopted in the formulation of the national Social Economic Development Plan : cooperation between Ministries, partnership with donors, local consultations The main goals, targets and indicators in the CPRGS were ambitious and are likely to be maintained, including environment-poverty goals The main goals, targets and indicators in the CPRGS were ambitious and are likely to be maintained, including environment-poverty goals Important initiatives announced in the Viet Nam Agenda21 and NSEP are also expected to be reflected, including developing environmentally friendly economic instruments and new environmental legislation Important initiatives announced in the Viet Nam Agenda21 and NSEP are also expected to be reflected, including developing environmentally friendly economic instruments and new environmental legislation

PRS & Environment in Viet Nam 11 7.Advocacy and learning on poverty- environment links Advocacy is somewhat different in Viet Nam: Popular consultation for strategy formulation and development planning through the Communist Party and different levels of government, with social (mass) organisations Popular consultation for strategy formulation and development planning through the Communist Party and different levels of government, with social (mass) organisations Public debate is increasingly enabled by the media Public debate is increasingly enabled by the media Members of the National Assembly and (locally) the Peoples Councils represent citizens Members of the National Assembly and (locally) the Peoples Councils represent citizens Knowledgeable people influence policy processes through informal networks Knowledgeable people influence policy processes through informal networks VN-NGOs are emerging and were at the Earth Summit in 2002, but do not yet relate much to policy processes. VN-NGOs are emerging and were at the Earth Summit in 2002, but do not yet relate much to policy processes.

PRS & Environment in Viet Nam 12 7.Advocacy and learning on poverty- environment links (continued) Learning and awareness raising is key: Amongst the public and officials Amongst the public and officials Concrete Poverty-Environment links must serve as the basis for learning and awareness raising: through applied research of past successes, lessons and models are being formulated Concrete Poverty-Environment links must serve as the basis for learning and awareness raising: through applied research of past successes, lessons and models are being formulated Most models focus on sustainable primary production and livelihood development, including an eco-village model and innovations on the VAC farming model (garden, pond, livestock). Most models focus on sustainable primary production and livelihood development, including an eco-village model and innovations on the VAC farming model (garden, pond, livestock).

PRS & Environment in Viet Nam 13 8.Introduction to the Viet Nam Poverty - Environment Initiative UNDP & MoNRE: a Poverty-Environment Project UNDP & MoNRE: a Poverty-Environment Project US$3.45million, with PEI and other funds, US$250,000 in-kind from the GoVN US$3.45million, with PEI and other funds, US$250,000 in-kind from the GoVN From late 2004, for 4 years From late 2004, for 4 years Project aim: Project aim: to strengthen Government capacity to integrate environment and poverty reduction goals into policy frameworks for sustainable development.

PRS & Environment in Viet Nam 14 8.Introduction to the Viet Nam Poverty - Environment Initiative (continued) Component 1: Policy Analysis, Monitoring and Advocacy Output 1.1: Improved knowledge and awareness within government and civil society of barriers, capacities and opportunities for natural resource use and environmental protection to contribute to national goals, targets and strategies for poverty reduction and sustainable development. Output 1.1: Improved knowledge and awareness within government and civil society of barriers, capacities and opportunities for natural resource use and environmental protection to contribute to national goals, targets and strategies for poverty reduction and sustainable development. Output 1.2: Strengthened institutional capacity to monitor and report on poverty-environment indicators and outcomes, and use those data effectively. Output 1.2: Strengthened institutional capacity to monitor and report on poverty-environment indicators and outcomes, and use those data effectively.

PRS & Environment in Viet Nam 15 8.Introduction to the Viet Nam Poverty - Environment Initiative (continued) Component 2: Policy Development and Implementation Output 2.1: Strengthened institutional mechanisms and capacity to integrate poverty reduction and environmental concerns into development policy and planning frameworks – (i) across MONRE, MPI and sector Ministries; (ii) between MONRE and DONREs; and (iii) across Provincial departments. Output 2.1: Strengthened institutional mechanisms and capacity to integrate poverty reduction and environmental concerns into development policy and planning frameworks – (i) across MONRE, MPI and sector Ministries; (ii) between MONRE and DONREs; and (iii) across Provincial departments. Output 2.2: Strengthened capacity in MONRE to set strategic priorities and develop policy and legal instruments that encourage environmental protection and natural resource use and support poverty reduction and improved equality. Output 2.2: Strengthened capacity in MONRE to set strategic priorities and develop policy and legal instruments that encourage environmental protection and natural resource use and support poverty reduction and improved equality.

PRS & Environment in Viet Nam 16 8.Introduction to the Viet Nam Poverty - Environment Initiative (continued) Component 3: Sector Coordination and Partnerships Output 3.1: Strengthened institutional capacity of MONRE to coordinate donor support within a programmatic framework, regarding natural resource use and environmental protection, and links to poverty reduction. Output 3.1: Strengthened institutional capacity of MONRE to coordinate donor support within a programmatic framework, regarding natural resource use and environmental protection, and links to poverty reduction.