CMDA Update - Workshop at Can Tho University’s Dragon Institute
On 12 February 2025, Bob Bower, CMDA Chief Technical Advisor for IUCN, travelled with Minh Le Viet (National Coordinator) and Thu PHAM Thi Minh Thu (CMDA Administrative Leader) to Can Tho University’s Dragon Institute, located on the Vietnam side of the Cambodia-Mekong Delta Aquifer (CMDA) area. This visit included a workshop-style meeting to discuss sustainable groundwater management and the critical role of Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) in addressing groundwater depletion, saline intrusion, and ecosystem impacts in the transboundary aquifer shared by Vietnam and Cambodia.
Prof. Van Pham Dang Tri, Head of the DRAGON Institute, PhD Hoang Minh Hong, Mr. Le Hai Tri, and other researchers and students from irrigation engineering, water supply, and water management attended the meeting. The discussions provided an excellent opportunity to exchange research insights and practical applications for groundwater sustainability.
IUCN Presentation on Sustainable Groundwater Management & CMDA Project
During the session, I presented IUCN’s role in the CMDA Project and its approach to developing a Strategic Action Plan (SAP) Vision for Sustainable Groundwater Management. The SAP will provide a long-term framework for transboundary cooperation and policy development, helping both Vietnam and Cambodia address groundwater challenges through:
✅ Scientific assessments of groundwater dynamics, including recharge, extraction, and ecosystem impacts.
✅ Pilot projects to test sustainable groundwater management strategies.
✅ Policy recommendations for improved governance and resource allocation.
✅ Technical solutions such as MAR, aquifer storage and recovery, and urban stormwater harvesting to enhance water security.
This science-driven approach, developed in collaboration with Vietnam, Cambodia, FAO, UNESCO, and MERFI, aims to ensure equitable and sustainable use of groundwater resources in the Mekong Delta.
Dragon Institute’s Presentations on Groundwater Management in the Mekong Delta
The Dragon Institute team contributed valuable insights through two presentations:
📌 Integrated Groundwater Management in Ca Mau Province – A research-based assessment on sustainable water solutions adapted to climate change in one of Vietnam’s most water-stressed regions.
📌 Numerical Groundwater Modelling for Climate Change Scenarios in Ca Mau Province – A study exploring future groundwater conditions under different climate change scenarios, highlighting potential risks and mitigation strategies.
These presentations reinforced the importance of scientific research in guiding policy and management decisions for groundwater sustainability.
Strengthening the IUCN-Dragon Institute Partnership
The Dragon Institute at Can Tho University is a leading research institution focused on climate change adaptation and sustainable development in the Mekong Delta. Since its establishment in 2008, the institute has played a key role in research, policy development, and capacity-building to support the region’s water and environmental challenges.
IUCN and the Dragon Institute have an ongoing collaboration on groundwater and water resource management, working together on projects that advance scientific research, transboundary cooperation, and policy solutions. This partnership supports initiatives like the CMDA Project, where the Dragon Institute’s research informs practical approaches for sustainable groundwater use, ecosystem protection, and climate resilience in the Mekong Delta.
IUCN looks forward to continuing this collaborative work with the Dragon Institute to address pressing climate and water challenges. Strengthening the connection between academic research and on-the-ground action will help develop science-based solutions for groundwater sustainability in the region.💧 For more information on the Dragon Institute, visit dragon.ctu.edu.vn
