HANOI, June 23 (Xinhua) -- The Mekong Delta Forum 2016 discussing solutions for the critical challenges posed by climate change in the region will be held on June 27-28 in Vietnam's southern Ho Chi Minh City.

The forum, themed "Committed to a Prosperous and Climate Resilient Mekong Delta" will be jointly organized by the World Bank (WB), Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development,  Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Planning and Investment, as well as other foreign organizations, the WB Vietnam said in a press release on Thursday.

The forum aims to deepen the dialogue of climate change risks and adaptive strategies, discuss sustainable and climate resilient livelihoods, highlight the role of other stakeholders such as private sector, research institutions in enhancing and scaling up successful models.

Direction and content of current and proposed projects to be financed in the Mekong Delta will also be discussed during the forum, which will see the attendance of Vietnamese Prime Minister,  said WB.

Since late 2015, countries along Mekong River have been suffering droughts of varying degrees due to the impact of the El Nino phenomenon which threatens people's livelihood.

In Vietnam's southern Mekong Delta, the drought and decrease in groundwater levels have resulted in the most extensive saltwater intrusion in 90 years, the worst since records began.

Mekong River originates in China and runs through Myanmar, Laos,  Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is known as Lancang in the Chinese stretch.

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