“Vietnam’s transformation from one of the poorest country to a middle-income country in just three decades is an inspiration to many countries around the world. The World Bank looks forward to continue its close partnership with Vietnam to ensure this growth is inclusive, sustainable and climate-resilient”, said Ms Laura Tuck.
WB Vice President for Sustainable Development, Ms Laura Tuck
According to a source from WB on December 9th, in Ho Chi Minh city, the World Bank Vice President witnessed the development impacts brought about by World Bank-funded projects, such as the Nhieu Loc -Thi Nghe canal revitalization project, a transformational project.
Apart from encouraging city authorities to leverage the greater autonomy under the special mechanism recently granted by the Central government, focusing primarily on land, investment, and financial management for its development, she also affirmed that a long term, comprehensive, city-wide and multi-sectoral engagement with the city is a key pillar of the Bank’s urbanization strategy in the nation.
Ms. Tuck then traversed the Mekong Delta through Ben Tre province to see first-hand the impacts of climate change on the lives, livelihoods and assets of communities. The Delta is home to more than 17 million people, and accounts for about half of Vietnam’s food production, and the region is facing a number of climate-related challenges including coastal erosion and salinity intrusion.
The WB female leader noted that Government agencies and communities can help decide the future of the Delta - by making informed choices about how to protect the delta, when to make room for the river, where to let the salt water remain, and when community livelihoods might need to be adjusted in response to changing natural conditions.
Climate change impacts the world
Vietnam is moving strongly forward on a more holistic and spatially integrated vision to manage the current and future risks and opportunities in the Delta. The Bank is helping to identify and prioritize climate resilient investments, and financing the preparation of an integrated regional master plan that will bring together sectors and localities.
During her meeting with leaders from Can Tho city, Ms. Tuck discussed the role of cities in the transformation of the Mekong Delta, a region with high population density, and the importance of strengthening urban resilience./.
Ms Laura Tuck assumed the WB’s Vice President for Sustainable Development on July 1st, 2015. Earlier, she served as Vice President for the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region.
Currently, Ms Laura Tuck oversees the work of the Global Practices (agriculture and food; climate change; energy and extractives; environment and natural resources; social, urban, rural and resilience; transport and ICT; and water) that bring together the best expertise from across the WB Group, and from partners, to help countries tackle their most complex challenges in the area of sustainable development.
Holding an MPA from Princeton University in Economics and Public Policy and a BA from the University of California at Davis in Economics, she is married and has two grown children.