Hanoi (VNA) - Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen on November 6 received Sylvain Ouillon, Chief Representative of the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) in Vietnam, to discuss potential cooperation in air quality monitoring and pollution reduction in the capital city.
At the meeting, IRD representatives introduced the SEACAI Project, a regional research programme for Southeast Asia, aimed at strengthening capacity in air pollution monitoring, forecasting, and source tracing. Scheduled to begin in 2026 and run for four years, the project’s first phase will install three air monitoring stations in Vietnam, including one in Hanoi.
Ouillon affirmed that through SEACAI, the IRD will assist Hanoi in forecasting and analysing pollution sources, providing scientific data to support policymaking, and enhancing cooperation in research, data sharing, and international funding for related initiatives.
Quyen welcomed the IRD’s proposal, saying it aligns with Hanoi’s sustainable development orientation and has strong scientific and practical value.
He noted that with rapid urbanisation, Hanoi faces mounting challenges related to air pollution, traffic congestion, infrastructure, and fossil energy use. Hence, the city highly values international partnerships based on modern science and technology.
He expressed Hanoi’s desire to establish a long-term partnership with the IRD in environmental protection, sustainable development, and capacity building for scientific research and training./.
