The Australian government on Tuesday launched four new business partnerships to cope with climate change and improve outcomes for local communities in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, with a total investment of AUD$2.5 million (US$1.64 million).

The Australian government has invested more than AUD$9.4 million ($6.1 million) in Business Partnerships Platform (BPP) partnerships in Vietnam since 2016, including some AUD$4.3 million ($2.8 million) in the Mekong Delta.

“Australia remains a committed partner for the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta region," said Australian Consul-General Sarah Hooper.

“The climate adaptation partnerships in the delta aim to support efforts by Vietnam and Australia to tackle the challenges of climate change."

The BPP partnerships in the delta are expected to underpin efforts by both nations to respond to climate change by trialing new models and technologies for climate adaptation, scale up successful initiatives, and offer important social, gender equality, and development benefits to Mekong communities.

The Australian government has a long history of support for the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta. 

This year, Vietnam and Australia are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong this August announced AUD$94.5 million ($62 million) for climate change adaptation in the delta, which includes the BPP climate adaptation partnerships.

Each partnership requires a co-investment by the partner of an amount that meets or exceeds the Australian government’s investment.

Among these partnerships, the first is between Hillridge, MSIG Vietnam, and the Australian government to weather-proof agriculture through parametric insurance.

The second one involves Symmetry, Southern Shrimp JSC, Vietnam Sustainable Shrimp Alliance, and the Australian government to scale climate resilient mangrove shrimp farming in the Mekong Delta.

In the third one, the Australian government collaborates with Mekong Conservancy Foundation and Vietnam Housewares Corporation to create sustainable livelihoods through climate-adaptive crops.

Regarding the last one, the Australian government partners with New Energy Nexus to create a Women’s Agribusiness Climate Adaptation Accelerator.

Launched in 2016, the BPP program has established 16 business partnerships in Vietnam, including seven in the Mekong Delta.

In March this year, the BPP put out a call for expressions of interest from potential business partners with innovative ideas to partner with the Australian government to support climate adaptation and resilience and deliver social, gender, and development benefits in the agriculture sector in the Mekong Delta. 

The BPP also invited applications for a partner to manage a women’s agribusiness climate adaptation accelerator that would support women-led micro and small enterprises that deliver greater income earning opportunities or other benefits to women in the delta.

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