Strengthening AI application and prioritizing investment in disaster-resilient infrastructure

Discussing at the Hall on the morning of October 29, many National Assembly deputies said that it is necessary to increase investment in disaster-resistant infrastructure in the medium-term public investment plan for the 2026-2030 period; enhance the application of AI to improve efficiency in preventing and overcoming the consequences of storms and floods...

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Vu Hong Thanh chaired the meeting. Photo: Quang Khanh

It is necessary to establish a people's relief team in each commune and ward.

Concerned about the impacts of climate change, National Assembly Delegate Dang Thi Bao Trinh ( Da Nang ) pointed out the fact that in just a few weeks, our country has continuously suffered from severe natural disasters. Last month, prolonged heavy rains caused flash floods and serious landslides in many northern mountainous provinces... Before the consequences could be overcome, these days, the central provinces are again submerged in heavy rain, floods, landslides; many residential areas are isolated, thousands of households have to be urgently evacuated.

National Assembly Delegate Dang Thi Bao Trinh (Da Nang) speaks. Photo: Ho Long

“Images of buried villages, broken roads, and people struggling in floodwaters… once again sound the alarm that natural disasters are no longer an unusual phenomenon, but are becoming a permanent challenge for the country.”

Faced with the reality that storms and floods occur with greater frequency, intensity and destruction, delegate Dang Thi Bao Trinh said that what is needed more than ever is not only "support" but also "control" and "prevention" by re-evaluating environmental impacts, reviewing planning and managing infrastructure and population development in accordance with natural laws. At the same time, natural disasters must be viewed not only as a climate event, but as a cumulative consequence of uncontrolled exploitation, going against natural laws.

View of the meeting. Photo: Quang Khanh

According to delegate Dang Thi Bao Trinh, this is the time to clearly establish the orientation of “disaster-resistant infrastructure” in the national planning and medium-term public investment plan. Priority is given to regional connecting routes, inter-commune and inter-provincial roads, ensuring economic , cultural and social circulation to serve the development of mountainous areas.

National Assembly Deputy Le Thi Thanh Lam (Can Tho) added that, in addition to strengthening the system of dykes, dams, and natural disaster prevention works, enhancing production recovery, and supporting people's livelihoods, the Government needs to continue directing ministries, branches, and localities to promote the application of science and technology, especially AI, to improve efficiency in preventing and overcoming the consequences of storms and floods.

National Assembly Delegate Le Thi Thanh Lam (Can Tho) speaks. Photo: Pham Thang

Considering that rescue information sites have been effective in identifying areas in need of support when natural disasters occur, delegate Le Thi Thanh Lam suggested that it is necessary to develop common software with the participation of organizations and functional sectors, localities and people. And, support the construction of risk maps, analyze the safety level of each house in the area, propose preventive measures so that local authorities can proactively evacuate and support, moving from passive response to proactive prevention.

Emphasizing that “climate change has become an existential threat, directly affecting sustainable development, requiring us to take more drastic and substantial actions”, National Assembly Deputy Nguyen Thi Viet Nga (Hai Phong) suggested that it is necessary to establish people's relief teams at the commune, ward, village and residential group levels, under the local Disaster Prevention Command Committee.

National Assembly Delegate Nguyen Thi Viet Nga (Hai Phong) speaks. Photo: Quang Khanh

According to the delegates, this will be a grassroots rescue network, trained and equipped with basic skills, operating alongside specialized forces when natural disasters occur. Not only is it a volunteer force, it will also be an important element in the national civil defense and climate change adaptation strategy.

From some experiences in the world, delegate Nguyen Thi Viet Nga proposed to organize periodic training on rescue skills, first aid, escape; equip at least life jackets, inflatable boats, rescue kits, medical kits, and radios. Funding sources can come from the Natural Disaster Prevention Fund, local budgets, combined with socialization and international cooperation.

Delegates attending the meeting. Photo: Pham Thang

Mountainous areas have great opportunities for green development and preservation of indigenous cultural heritage.

Pointing out the fact that mountainous areas, although having great development potential, are also facing many pressures at the same time, delegate Dang Thi Bao Trinh said that it is necessary to establish a comprehensive, interdisciplinary and time-series assessment mechanism on the synergistic impact between construction - exploitation - residential planning on ecological balance. According to the delegate, this must be a mandatory condition before approving projects in mountainous areas. On that basis, the Government needs to direct the development of landslide warning maps for natural disasters, publicized on the national digital system, so that people and authorities can proactively respond.

Shift strongly from infrastructure investment to sustainable infrastructure creation. All mountainous projects need to be designed to meet criteria of natural disaster and geological resistance. In medium-term public investment planning, priority should be given to inter-regional and inter-commune transport routes, civil works, education and health care.

Overview of the meeting. Photo: Quang Khanh

At the same time, investment in mountain tourism for economic development and cultural heritage preservation must be considered a pillar in the regional and national development strategy to both open up development space and preserve the identity and ecological environment of the mountains and forests. There must be more favorable mechanisms and policies for people, especially women and ethnic minorities, to become the main subjects in the development of mountain tourism. Each policy to relocate people must go hand in hand with a long-term livelihood plan.

And, according to the delegate, it is necessary to build a mechanism for preventing and responding to natural disasters, promptly complete the national risk map, install modern, early warning systems at vulnerable points. Each commune and village must have a "community safety team" that is trained, equipped and connected to higher authorities, so that people are not passive and surprised when natural disasters strike.

Delegates at the meeting. Photo: Quang Khanh

“It is time for us to see mountainous areas not only as difficult areas, but also as areas with great opportunities for green development and the preservation of indigenous cultural heritage. Investing in mountainous areas is not only about overcoming the consequences of natural disasters but also investing in long-term stability, in the livelihoods of millions of people, in environmental security and sustainable development of the country,” delegate Dang Thi Bao Trinh emphasized.

Paying attention to the implementation of the work of reorganizing and innovating to improve the operational efficiency of agricultural and forestry companies, which is also related to the development of mountainous and remote areas, National Assembly Deputy Nguyen Thi Thu Nguyet (Dak Lak) suggested that the Government pay special attention to considering the implementation of this work and need to identify this as one of the key tasks in socio-economic development in 2026 to focus on solving it thoroughly.

At the same time, the delegate also proposed that the National Assembly issue resolutions, policies, and specific mechanisms to remove practical obstacles and bottlenecks in the process of implementing the arrangement and conversion of new operating models with agricultural and forestry companies. According to the delegate, only with this specific policy can we hope to achieve the goal in the shortest time possible.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/tang-cuong-ung-dung-ai-va-uu-tien-dau-tu-ha-tang-chong-chiu-thien-tai-10393494.html