Under the impact of climate change, extreme weather patterns appear more and more often at different levels in Son La. In the 2017-2022 period, flash floods and landslides occurred on a large scale, killing 67 people and injuring 78 others, and making 709 houses collapse or swept away, and 2,200 ones relocated, with total damage estimated at more than 5 trillion VND (203.4 million USD).

To raise awareness of the position, role, and responsibilities of state management over climate change response, resources management and environmental protection, in 2021, the provincial People's Committee approved a project to improve the climate change response capacity of state management officials, with the goal of introducing new policies, views, and directions related to climate change of the Party, the Government, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; basic knowledge about climate change; and its impact on the province's socio-economic development.

At the workshop, the delegates were briefed on the Party's guidelines, directives, and resolutions, and the State's policies and laws on climate change; climate change and non-traditional security issues; State management over this issue; and warning, climate change response and natural disaster mitigation activities successfully applied.

Delegates discussed and shared experience on climate change adaptation in localities; exchanged views on how to solve difficulties and obstacles arising from practice; and proposed some orientations and solutions to improve State management capacity on climate change and mitigation of natural disaster risks in accordance with local realities.

The event was part of a series of activities implementing the project to improve the climate change response capacity of State management officials in Son La province, contributing to improving the effectiveness of State management on climate change and mitigation of natural disaster risks.