Project Description
The MDCC Forum was established to strengthen the capacity of Vietnam’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) and Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) in supporting hydropower development that is sustainable, environmentally responsible, and risk-aware. The forum provided a platform for integrating strategic environmental assessment (SEA) into national hydropower planning, focusing on institutional, policy, and technical development to support long-term capacity building and informed decision-making in the energy sector.
Objectives, Activities and Results
The MDCC Forum centered on three core components. First, an institutional analysis identified gaps and opportunities in SEA policy and practice, proposing appropriate roles for MONRE and EVN and guiding the development of SEA-related structures and responsibilities. Second, the forum facilitated targeted training through a dedicated SEA Focus Group, introductory SEA/CIA sessions, and a study tour to enhance technical knowledge and practical skills. Third, a pilot SEA for hydropower development in the Vu Gia–Thu Bon River Basin was conducted as a real-world demonstration of best practice SEA, including a hands-on GIS training component for spatial scenario analysis. Collectively, these activities built foundational capacity in MONRE and EVN to apply SEA in hydropower planning and environmental governance.
