Nguyen told the 5th Global Oceans Conference in Paris that Viet Nam, being a coastal nation, was among the hardest hit by climate change and thus needed assistance from more well-off nations.

It was attended by more than 700 delegates from 80 countries and territories.

On the sidelines, Minister Nguyen worked with the Supreme Council of Notaries of France and met with President of the Global Environment Fund Monique Barbut.

Nguyen asked the council to bring forward its completion date of a study on ways to improve and modernise the land management system in Ha Noi, HCM City and Da Nang so the cities could complete their land-use plans.

He also urged the council to expand the project to other cities, including Can Tho and Hai Phong, and assist Viet Nam in the management of underground works.

Representatives of the council said they would continue to assist Viet Nam to improve its land management system, especially by training land administration staff.

At the meeting with Barbut, Nguyen emphasised Viet Nams commitment to the integrated management of coastal areas, marine biodiversity and the lower section of the Mekong River, and adaptability to climate change.

Barbut spoke highly of Viet Nams efforts in the management of natural resources and environment.

She said the fund would provide US$30 million aid to implement environmental projects in Viet Nam and stressed it was one of the first countries to receive such aid.

The Vietnamese delegation also visited the National Library of France and the French Agency of Defence History to study and collect data on Viet Nams sovereignty as well as marine and island resources in the East Sea region.

V.N.S