Over the past decade, the Vietnam Urban Forum (VUF) has proved its important role in creating an equal and attractive playground for business members, Minister of Construction Trinh Dinh Dung has said.

During a ceremony on November 7 to mark the 10th anniversary of the forum, Minister Dung, who is also President of the organisation, said the it has also acted as an indispensable bridge linking foreign sponsors, investors, professional agencies and associations and non-governmental organisations.

He said in the future, the forum should engage itself closer to the settlement of issues related to urban development, especially in urban planning and management.

It should also design better plans for urban development to fulfil the goal of sustainable development, while properly allocating investment resources for the work and strengthening international cooperation.

Victoria Kwakwa, Country Director of the World Bank in Vietnam and Co-President of VUF, said the forum is a tool to help balance social pressure and the competitive requirements of Vietnam, and an important channel for participants to share knowledge.

She said the World Bank in Vietnam has positively supported and been involved in the forum for the purpose of long-term and stable economic growth.

Realising the risks climate change poses and the role of the community in urban development and management, VUF members agreed that in the future, it should review the situation of Vietnam’s urban landscape and organise research housing programmes, while sharing information on issues relating to climate change and the encouragement of community engagement in the work.

On the occasion, the forum added five new members to raise its total member to 102.

Established in 2003, the forum has successfully organised various important domestic and international events, specifying targets and missions agreed by its members, effectively contributing to the country’s construction and development.-VNA