UNESCO and the Government of Japan today signed a new project agreement to strengthen Viet Nam’s capacity for early warning, disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
Signing ceremony between Japan and UNESCO Office in Ha Noi. Photo: UNESCO
13 February 2026Last update:24 February 2026
On 12 February 2026, UNESCO and the Government of Japan today signed an agreement to launch the project “Strengthening capacity of Viet Nam for early warnings, disaster risk reduction and safer learning environments.” The project, supported by approximately US$533,333 in funding, will be implemented from March 2026 to March 2027 in Nghe An province.
Viet Nam has experienced a series of severe disasters in recent years, including Typhoons Wipha, Bualoi and Matmo, which caused significant loss of life, extensive damage to infrastructure and livelihoods, and disrupted school activities. These extreme events highlighted the importance of strengthening preparedness across multiple systems, including communities, public services, and schools.
Nghe An province was selected as the project site due to its high exposure to recurrent disasters and its strategic importance. The province hosts the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve, designated by UNESCO, and Vinh City, a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, providing a strong foundation for integrated, community-based approaches to disaster resilience.
The newly signed project will support the upgrade of near-real-time early warning systems for flash floods and landslides in selected high-risk areas of Nghe An province and strengthen the capacity of local authorities and communities to respond to disasters, in line with national and international standards.
The initiative will also strengthen the resilience of schools in disaster-prone areas. Education authorities, school leaders and teachers will be supported to enhance preparedness through participatory hazard mapping, school-based preparedness planning, and capacity development, with the aim of ensuring education continuity.
Mr Jonathan Wallace Baker, UNESCO Representative to Viet Nam, said: “The recent extreme events point to the urgent need to move beyond emergency response alone, and to invest in prevention, preparedness, and early warning as part of Viet Nam’s sustainable development. We will work closely with national institutions and local authorities in Nghe An to translate global knowledge into solutions tailored to local realities, ensuring that no one is left behind.”
The initiative marks a new milestone in cooperation between Japan and Viet Nam.
Mr Ito Naoki, Ambassador of Japan to Viet Nam, noted: “We believe that this project will contribute to further strengthening disaster risk reduction capacity in Viet Nam. By drawing on UNESCO’s experience and expertise, we expect that the project will be implemented in a results-oriented manner and bring tangible benefits to the government and people of Nghe An Province.”
Mr. Ngo Le Van, Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam, President of the Viet Nam National Commission for UNESCO said: “Climate change adaptation is a top priority of Viet Nam’s national development and security strategy to 2050. Today’s signing turns political commitment into concrete action, delivering real benefits to communities. Viet Nam will work closely with Japan, UNESCO, and all partners to ensure effective implementation of this project, contributing to our shared goals.”
Through these interventions, approximately 15,000 people, including community members, students, teachers and school leaders, are expected to benefit directly from the project, with many more benefiting indirectly. Results from the project will also inform actions in other provinces and at the national level.
The project aligns with Viet Nam’s national priorities on disaster risk reduction as well as education, while contributing to international frameworks including the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Sustainable Development Goals.