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The four-year project will be jointly implemented by the Institute of Strategy and Policy of Natural Resources and Environment under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It is scheduled to start this year with a total funding of US$3 million from the UNDP.

Deputy Minister Tran Hong Ha said at the launching ceremony that the project would help amend the Law on Natural Resources and Environment that was issued in 2005, help build stronger polices for sustainable development as well as a suitable legal framework for implementing environmental policies.

The project presents a valuable opportunity to improve natural resource management in Viet Nam, he said.

Nguyen Trung Thang, deputy director of the institute, said the project would enhance the capacity of managers and institutions in policy analysis.

Bakhodir Burkhanov, UNDP Deputy Country Director, said that it was encouraging to see that the project would enable independent evaluation of environmental performance at provincial level, and ensure the participation of communities in monitoring the enforcement and implementation of environmental laws.

Specifically, the project will pilot the Environment Performance Index at provincial level in Viet Nam, which will help produce an "objective and dynamic picture of environmental quality in provinces for appropriate policy decisions," he said.

"We are committed to bringing relevant international expertise and experiences, helping build capacities of institutions, and coordinating with development partners for effective results towards greater environmental sustainability and efficient use of natural resources in Viet Nam," he added.

(VNS)