Vietnam attends World Cities Summit in Singapore

Singapore (VNA) - Officials from Vietnamese localities namely Hanoi, Binh Duong, Quang Ngai and Hai Phong, and representatives from the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs are joining foreign mayors, governors and officials from 125 countries and territories around the world at the World Cities Summit (WCS) Mayors Forum in Singapore on July 7-8.

Themed “Livable and Sustainable Cities: Embracing the Future through Innovation and Collaboration”, the event explores how cities can be more liveable and resilient through better governance and planning, technology and social innovations, as well as collaborations with various stakeholders and other cities.

The forum, a highlight of the WCS which is taking place from July 6-11 also focuses on how to tap breakthrough innovations to create development momentum for cities, and to attract funding for infrastructure projects.

In his opening remarks at the event, Singaporean Minister of National Development Lawence Wong emphasised that cities around the world are facing common challenges in urban governance, city planning, resilience and innovation.

As chair of ASEAN in 2018, Singapore has paid attention to "resilience and innovation", aiming to create a channel for and leaders to debate solutions to the design and construction of urban areas and share experiences to connect cities worldwide, he said.  

Nguyen Van Suu, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, discussed the vision and strategy for smart city and e-government development in Vietnam and Hanoi in particular.

He stressed that amidst international integration and the 4th Industrial Revolution, the development of smart and sustainable cities is important for all big cities, including Hanoi.

Hanoi is determined to accelerate the building process of people and business-centric intelligent cities, aiming to become an intelligent city by 2030, Suu said, expressing the hope to foster international cooperation in technology and knowledge transfer with localities, businesses and partners worldwide.

Delegates to the summit discussed measures to create creative breakthroughs and adapt to new technologies to boost the development of cities.

They also concentrated on governance solutions to mobilise finance from the private sector to invest in infrastructure development, towards harmonising the public interest and short-term commercial profits.

Chairman of the Mayors' Committee of Singapore Low Yen Ling and CEO of Pontiac Land Group Melissa Kwee briefed participants on the outcomes of the 6th Meeting of Governors/Mayors of ASEAN Capitals (MGMAC) and the World Cities Summit Young Leaders Symposium.

They called for a joint effort from mayors, governors and leaders to address global challenges, towards building livable and sustainable cities.

During the 6th MGMAC, the Vietnamese delegation joined the signing of the Singapore Declaration on sustainable environment and attended the ASEAN Smart Cities Network Inaugural Meeting. 

Vietnamese delegates will also participate in the fourth Lee Kuan Yew Prize Award Ceremony and seminars on urban governance, planning, improving the resilience of cities, application of breakthrough innovations in urban construction and cooperation among cities.

Initiated by the Singaporean Government, the annual event is a platform for government leaders and industry experts to address liveable and sustainable city challenges, share integrated urban solutions and forge partnerships.-VNA