Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed Decisions No. 974/QD-TTg and 975/QD-TTg on August 19, establishing regional coordinating councils for the Mekong Delta region and the northern midland and mountainous region, respectively, to accelerate regional coordination for sustainable development.

The coordinating council for the Mekong Delta region is headed by Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai, while Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang will lead the council for the northern midland and mountainous region.

Earlier, the Prime Minister signed decisions on the establishment of such councils for four other regions: the Red River Delta Region, the North Central and Central Coast Region, the Southeast Region, and the Central Highlands Region.

The councils are responsible for coordinating linking activities for regional socio-economic and infrastructure development, with priority given to transport infrastructure. They will study and propose the formation of a fund for regional infrastructure development.

Prime Minister Chinh asked the councils to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and self-reliance of each locality to create regional strength to contribute to the country’s overall development, with a focus on investment, consumption, and export; three driving forces of Vietnam’s growth.

The councils are also in charge of studying and proposing mechanisms and policies to develop the Mekong Delta and the northern midland and mountainous regions.

They will direct and support localities to deal with emerging issues that are beyond the localities’ authorization.