The Provincial People's Committee is working with the French Development Agency (AFD).

The project "Improvement of Urban Infrastructure to Adapt to Climate Change in Son La City", utilizing ODA funds from the French Development Agency (AFD), has a total investment of 970.5 billion Vietnamese dong (equivalent to 35.2 million EUR), with a project implementation period of 4 years from the signing of the Agreement. The investment objectives of the project aim to address comprehensive issues related to flood prevention and drainage in urban areas, improve the environment and air quality, treat wastewater, and protect the water environment of Son La city, aiming to proactively respond to climate change and lay the groundwork for the future development of a green, fast, and sustainable urban area.

The project is implemented in Son La City and Muong Bu Commune, Muong La District, with 05 component sub-projects including: Upgrading the flood drainage infrastructure of Nam La stream; improving the urban drainage system; constructing infrastructure for parks, and regulating lakes in urban areas; expanding the drainage system and wastewater treatment in Son La City (Phase 2); supporting the enhancement of project efficiency, and strengthening the capacity of state management agencies and local residents in the project area.

Mr. Hoang Quoc Khanh, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee delivered a speech at the working session.

Immediately after the investment policy was approved, in line with the assigned task as the investor by the Provincial People's Committee, the Project Management Board proactively and urgently organized the implementation of investment preparation tasks as regulated, including: organizing the preparation and approval of the investment preparation budget; selecting contractors and contract management; coordinating with the Sponsor and relevant agencies to prepare the project. In 2023, the project was allocated 5 billion Vietnamese dong from the provincial budget for investment preparation tasks, and 100% of the allocated funds have been disbursed.

During the working session, the representative of the French Development Agency (AFD) praised the efforts of Son La province in the project implementation process and affirmed that AFD would accompany and support the province to ensure the project's optimal effectiveness. At the same time, they requested close coordination between Son La province and AFD throughout the implementation process, identifying the most appropriate solutions for project execution in accordance with the province's conditions, ensuring full compliance with Vietnamese laws and regulations of the donor.

The delegation from the French Development Agency (AFD) participatedb in the working session.

Speaking at the working session, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee highly appreciated the support of the French Development Agency (AFD) in implementing the project. Son La province eagerly anticipates that through Mr. Olivier GILARD's assessment mission and the participation of AFD delegation members, the project will be promptly executed, ensuring compliance with regulations and maximizing investment effectiveness. It is requested that AFD continue to coordinate and exchange information with relevant ministries, departments, and central agencies to facilitate the timely completion of project approval procedures, signing of agreements, and organization of subsequent project steps in accordance with the plan. The Project Management Board of ODA projects in Son La province (the project investor) is instructed to proactively coordinate closely with AFD, provide recommendations to the Provincial People's Committee for proposals to relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to expedite the assessment and approval of the project, approval of the investment policy, early signing of agreements, and international agreements. Regularly report to the Provincial People's Committee on the project implementation progress as required, while proposing timely solutions to overcome any difficulties encountered during the implementation process.

Hong Le 

Translated by Thao Huyen Nguyen