The overriding purpose of this Component is setting up the national institutional, methodological as well as spatial data system for application of NCA in Viet Nam – which for reasons of government buy-in (demand driven), feasibility as well as sustainability focusses on coastal and near-shore ecosystems their related NC, and the development of related NCA. However, for purpose of consistency and raising the readiness at national level the project will facilitate national institutional compatibility and consistency with NCA for all ecosystems, which would involve a range of ministries and line agencies beyond those mandated or involved in coastal and marine NC. It is anticipated that this would be agreed and summarized in an updated Roadmap for NCA in Viet Nam, taking further and formalizing the already existing draft roadmap drafted under the WB baseline program (see section 1.2). As a next step and based on Government of Viet Nam request and in line with applicable national polices as well as its two Blue Economy Resolution, the project will zoom in on ocean accounting and will build upon one of the baseline programs – the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP). As a result, institutional capacity building and establishment of NCAs under Comp 1, 2 and 3 will focus on marine and coastal only. As
part of Component 1, the project will specifically develop a coherent and consistent methodology for coastal and marine accounting for Viet Nam (called ?ocean accounting? as noted above), based on application guidance developed by the UN and GOAP on the SEEA-EA framework, the developing GOAP technical guidance for ocean accounting[34]34, and the results of ongoing and planned pilots of ocean accounting by ESCAP and GOAP (Output 1.1.1). Through a nationally validated methodology, the project will demonstrate the capacity of ecosystem accounting to provide information needed for tracking changes in ecosystems and linking those changes to economic and other human activity. Incremental support to staff and institutional development (1.1.2) in the field of establishing and applying NC accounts for various purposes, will enable the programs of Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment (ISPAE), Viet Nam Administration of Seas and Islands (VASI), GSO, as well as provincial partner institutions playing a more coordinated and effective role in NC accounting. Under the Project, the Viet Nam General Statistic Office will lead the review of the national accounting system and specifically develop a National Spatial Data Framework for coastal and marine resources
with specific provisions for the provincial level pilot application in Quang Ninh Province (1.1.3) which are in line with the national data framework of Viet Nam to facilitate data collection and analysis as part of the coastal/ocean accounts to be established at the provincial level. The design of the spatial data framework will follow the SDG statistic indicators regulated under Circular 03/2019/TT-BKHDT on SDGs indicators of Viet Nam and supported through a small baseline project led by ISPAE as well as build upon the ongoing baseline program on the National Statistical Indicator System (NSIS) led by GSO. The project will support development of a National Platform on NCA to bring all related
stakeholders, including policy makers (i.e. GSO-MOF, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), development partners, Non-Government Organizations (NGO), etc. together to ensure mobilization of all resources for NCA (1.1.4). The platform partnership will review and discuss natural capital objectives in national sector policy, as well as will play a key role for advocacy in term of enhancing awareness/knowledge of policy makers on NCA and promoting integration of NCA into national planning process, promoting blue economy approach to different sectors such as tourism and agriculture for sustainable management of coastal and marine resources (1.1.4). The Project will support the use of NCA to enable monitoring progress of SDG implementation, especially the SDGs 14&15, by mainstreaming the proposed accounts into routine government indicators and reporting procedures, including on gender. Gender equality needs to be mainstreamed in these NCA as well as the mentioned reporting procedures towards better protection and monitoring coastal areas and developing small-scale sustainable fishing that benefit local communities and help reduce gender gaps. The proposed NCA account will also be aligned (as much as feasible) with targets/indicators identified in the main national/sectors action plan on SDGs, protected areas and marine natural resources (1.1.5). The results of the work of the national NCA Platform, and specifically through Output 1.1.4, will be linked with Government procedures for reporting SDGs implementation at national and local level. Component 1 has one Outcome, Outcome 1.1 Increased institutional capacity, clarified mandates and NCA system operational for applying and monitoring a blue economic growth model. Outcome 1.1 is composed of 5 separate outputs.
Output 1.1.1. Coherent and consistent national methodology, institutional arrangements and national system adopted for NCA in Viet Nam – involving all ecosystems and related line agencies, whilst zooming in on Ocean accounting.
Under this output a coherent and consistent methodology for coastal and marine accounting for Viet Nam (called ‘ocean accounting’ as noted above) will be developed, based on application guidance developed by the UN and GOAP on the SEEA-EA framework, the developing GOAP technical guidance for ocean accounting, and the results of ongoing and planned pilots of ocean accounting by ESCAP and GOAP. The developed mechanism will be submitted for approval as a unified and harmonized approach to be used by line ministries and results and lessons from the related NCA piloting will be reflected in a
report as guidance for policy development. As part of this Output the project will develop an updated NCA roadmap at the national level. Indicative activities under Output 1.1.1 include:
1.1.1.1 Review and analyze current methodologies, institutional arrangements and regulations relating to NCA in Viet Nam to identify key gaps in application of NCA with special emphasis on Ocean accounting. This review process intends to build upon the existing NCA Roadmap document and support the process towards an updated national NCA Roadmap adopted, covering all ecosystems and mandated agencies in and reflecting a consistent national methodology and a clear institutional arrangement (Lead: ISPAE, collaborating: GOAP-ESCAP, GSO, VASI, University and research institutions).
1.1.1.2 Support development of guidance on methodology and application for NCA with special emphasis on Ocean accounting. This development will be supported by TA working with key stakeholders to come to a consistent and agreed methodological approach. The resulting guidelines to unify and harmonize the NCA methodologies used by line ministries will be submitted for approval.
1.1.1.3 The mechanism as developed under 1.1.1.2 will be used by the project and the results and lessons from the piloting at provincial level will be documented in a report as guidance for further policy development to support further harmonization of the NCA methodologies used by line ministries.
1.1.1.4 Based upon the review carried out under 1.1.1.1, an updated National NCA Roadmap will be developed, sketching a mechanism to unify and harmonize the NCA methodologies used by line ministries and offering a common approach to NCA development in Viet Nam.
1.1.1.5 Policy learning and report on the results from piloting NCA at project site and recommendations for policy revision and improvement. This activity will support the compilation of a report documenting the results from the NCA piloting in Quang Ninh province, highlighting the emerging best practices as developed, indicating existing challenges and providing recommendations for further policy development and improvement to enhance NCA replication, based on the pilot experience.
Output 1.1.2. Staff training and institutional capacity building on ocean/coastal natural capital accounting in support blue economic development for national and provincial institutions
Through a nationally validated methodology, the project will demonstrate the capacity of ecosystem accounting to provide information needed for tracking changes in ecosystems and linking those changes to economic and other human activity. Incremental support to staff and institutional development in the field of establishing and applying NC accounts for various purposes, will enable the programs of Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment (ISPAE), Viet Nam Administration of Seas and Islands (VASI), GSO, as well as provincial partner institutions playing a more coordinated and
effective role in NC accounting. Indicative activities under Output 1.1.2 include:
1.1.2.1 Design and deliver an awareness raising program among stakeholders on the importance of NCA in development planning and the roles of blue economy in safeguarding environment and improving social livelihood, building on the existing efforts made on the Sustainable Blue Economy, e.g. the Rapid Readiness Assessment on Sustainable Blue Economy Transition. A targeted awareness raising programme will be developed by a national consultant in order to demonstrate the potential contribution of NCA and will be delivered as a training/workshop to selected stakeholders and their staff. Lead: ISPAE, Collaborating: GSO, University and research institutions).
1.1.2.2 Under this activity, first a training needs assessment on the NCA methodology and tools will be carried out by a consultant to define the existing knowledge and specific capacity gaps. Based on this training needs assessment the consultant will develop a standard curriculum on NCA for national institutionalization, providing them theoretical background and competence to establish and apply NC accounts for various purposes, but with emphasis on the GOAP technical guidance for ocean accounting. The training curriculum will serve as the basis to train national and provincial staff within different
sectors on the interpretation of NCA, methodology, data requirements, data collection as well as how to use NCA in sectoral, development planning with an emphasis on ocean and coastal accounting, but still providing a broader overview of NCA application in other landscapes. (lead: TA, collaborating: ISPAE, GSO, VASI, VASI, DAEs, University and research institutions).
1.1.2.3 Conduct international exchanges on knowledge in NCA. In order to broaden the capacity and understanding of staff involved in NCA development an exchange will be organized to learn from emerging best practices in the region and to consider how and to what extent these experiences can be applied in Viet Nam. (Lead: ISPAE, collaborating: GSO, VASI, Quang Ninh PPC)
Output 1.1.3. Provincial Spatial Data Framework established for compiling marine and coastal accounting in Quang Ninh Province
Under this Output, the Viet Nam General Statistic Office will lead the review of the national accounting system and specifically develop a National Spatial Data Framework for coastal and marine resources with specific provisions for the provincial level pilot application in Quang Ninh Province, which are in line with the national data framework of Viet Nam to facilitate data collection and analysis as part of the coastal/ocean accounts to be established at the provincial level. The design of the spatial data framework will follow the SDG statistical indicators regulated under Circular No.03/2019/TT-BKHDT dated 22 January 2019 of the Minister of Planning and Investment, on SDGs indicators of Viet Nam and supported through a small baseline project led by ISPAE as well as build upon the ongoing baseline program on the National Statistical Indicator System (NSIS) led by GSO.
Indicative activities under Output 1.1.3 include:
1.1.3.1 Review the national accounting system and National Statistical Indicator System as well as SDGs indicators of Viet Nam in order to see what specific indicators do presently reflect the marine and coastal ecosystem and to identify what information is presently missing and should be included to enable an improved monitoring of the Blue Economy system. (Lead: GSO, Collaborating: ISPAE, VASI, GOAP, UNEP)
1.1.3.2 Based on the review carried out under 1.1.3.1, the project will support the development of a set of indicators for monitoring the blue economy (with the support of VASI project on Indicators for Blue economy). Tentatively, the following will be defined for each indicator:
– The objectives and definition of each indicator;
– The users of the indicator, and the methods and kinds of usage;
– The method to identify each indicator;
– The inputs and how to collect the information (sources, quality requirements, quality control and quality assurance);
– The baseline value.
After selection and development of the set of indicators a manual for application of these indicators to monitor ocean and coastal status and pressure will be compiled. (Lead: GSO, Collaborating: VASI, ISPAE, UNEP, University and research institutions).
1.1.3.3 Under this activity the project will develop with the support of a consultant a General Spatial Data Framework for marine and coastal accounting (at national level), able to capture, store and analysis the (geo)spatial data required for proper storage, analysis and monitoring. (Lead: GSO, Collaborating: ISPAE, VASI).
1.1.3.4 Establish and implement a Provincial Spatial Data Framework for marine and coastal accounting for Quang Ninh to facilitate (geospatial and temporal) data collection and analysis as part of the coastal and ocean accounts to be established. The established Provincial Spatial Data Framework will guide and support the further design of Spatial Data Framework for marine and coastal accounting at national level. (Lead: GSO, Collaborating: ISPAE, VASI, DAE Quang Ninh, DSO Quang Ninh).
1.1.3.5 In line with and supporting the Provincial Spatial Data Framework developed under 1.1.3.3 the project will develop guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOP) on compiling marine and coastal accounting in Quang Ninh, to be contracted to a consultant who will develop the guidelines and SOP and reflect these in a related manual (Lead: GSO, Collaborating: ISPAE, VASI, Quang Ninh DSO).
1.1.3.6 Based on the guidelines and SOP developed a consultant will conduct a specialized training on compiling marine and coastal accounting in Quang Ninh Province, providing the provincial staff the methodologies and competence to establish various NC accounts for ocean/marine and coastal ecosystems. (Lead: ISPAE, Collaborating: GSO, Quang Ninh DSO, Quang Ninh DAE).
Output 1.1.4. Development and agreement with ISPAE, VASI, GSO/MOF, etc., on
national platform on NCA for information exchange and blue economy growth policy advocacy
Under Output 1.1.4, the project will support development of a National Platform on NCA to bring all related stakeholders, including policy makers (i.e. GSO-MOF, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), development partners, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), etc. together to ensure mobilization of all resources for NCA. The platform partnership will review and discuss natural capital objectives in national sector policy, as well as will play a key role for advocacy in term of enhancing awareness/knowledge of policy makers on NCA and promoting integration of NCA
into national planning process, promoting blue economy approach to different sectors such as tourism and agriculture for sustainable management of coastal and marine resources. Indicative activities under Output 1.1.4 include:
1.1.4.1 Assessment of the current state of existing committees/mechanism established, as well as requirements to support the NCA platform (Lead: ISPAE, Collaborating: GSO, VASI, NGOs, UNDP, ADB, WB, etc.)
1.1.4.2 Support the formalization and operationalization of the NCA platform with a focus on thematic area of blue economy, including (i) agreeing on its mandate and scope; (ii) identification and confirmation of line agencies and other entities to participate in the platform; (iii) assembling / convening the platform; and (iv) validation and adoption of its Terms of Reference (Lead: ISPAE, Collaborating: GSO, VASI, NGOs, UNDP, UNEP, ADB, WB, etc.)
1.1.4.3 Formalize and operationalize the communication function and prepare documents for meetings during the operation of the Platform for 3 years (Lead: ISPAE, Collaborating: GSO, VASI, NGOs, UNDP, ADB, WB, UNEP, etc.)
1.1.4.4 Augment the 3-year action plan of the Platform to integrate the thematic area of blue economy (Lead: ISPAE, Collaborating: GSO, VASI, NGOs, UNDP, ADB, WB, UNEP, etc.)
1.1.4.5 Support the operationalization, transition, and sustainability of the national NCA platform. This will also entail a comprehensive review of its effectiveness, mandate, value added to blue economy and transition plan post-project upon its operational closure. (Lead: ISPAE, Collaborating: GSO, VASI, NGOs, UNDP, ADB, UNEP, WB, etc.).
Output 1.1.5. A system for linking marine and coastal NC accounts with routine government indicators and reporting procedures adopted for Green GDP, SDGs, gender inclusion
The Project will support, under Output 1.1.5, the use of NCA to enable monitoring progress of SDG implementation, especially the SDGs 14&15, by mainstreaming the proposed accounts into routine government indicators and reporting procedures, including on gender. Gender equality needs to be mainstreamed in these NCAs as well as the mentioned reporting procedures towards better protection and monitoring coastal areas and developing small-scale sustainable fishing that benefit local communities and help reduce gender gaps. The proposed NCA accounts will also be aligned (as much as
feasible) with targets/indicators identified in the main national/sectors action plan on SDGs, protected areas and marine natural resources. Indicative activities under Output 1.1.5 include:
1.1.5.1 Review and assess SDG indicators, especially the SDGs 14&15 and data requirements for monitoring purposes to identify the gaps and conformity with marine and coastal NC accounts. This assessment will be done along with Activity 1.1.3.1. (Lead: GSO, Collaborating: ISPAE, University and research institutions).
1.1.5.2 Develop guidelines for mainstreaming the NCA into routine government indicators and reporting procedures, including on gender based on parameters defined in Activity 1.1.5.1, ensuring that data is captured, fed into the monitoring system and information generates knowledge to support decision making (Lead: GSO, Collaborating: ISPAE, University and research institutions MAE, others).
1.1.5.3 Based on the review and assessment of indicators under 1.1.5.1 and the related guidelines for mainstreaming NCA into routine government indicators under 1.1.5.2, a training of national and provincial staff and associated governmental and non-governmental partners will be rolled-out on the use of the indicators and on related reporting. (Lead: GSO, Collaborating: ISPAE, University and research institutions MAE).
