Urban specialists, city mayors and senior government officials from Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and Laos gathered in Ho Chi Minh City on June 7 to attend a workshop entitled “Eco2 Cities: Ecological Cities as Economic Cities”.

The workshop, co-hosted by the WB and the HCM City People’s Committee, focuses on adjustments to Eco2 policies so as to make them suitable for each country’s urban development situation as well as benefits that the initiative brings in.

Eco2 Cities is the WB’s approach to sustainable and integrated urban development. It is designed to help cities plan, manage and invest in sustainable urban systems that are integrated, multi-functional and beneficial to the long-term well being of citizens and society at large.

By doing so, the programme strives to help cities accomplish greater ecological and economic sustainability with a focus on human and social welfares.

During the three-day event, participants will exchange views on the challenges and priorities of the participating countries and how their cities might benefit from the new approach to urban development.

Speaking at the event, Victor Vergara, Head of the WB’s Urban Development Unit for the Asia & Pacific region, said he hoped that the participating urban leaders and managers will create an East Asia-wide ripple effect which will see a long-term ecological and economic sustainability with a focus on placing human and social well being at the forefront of city planning and management.

Vice Chairwoman of the HCM City People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Hong spoke highly of the WB initiative, saying that the pooled experiences of experts and scientists as well as countries worldwide will help HCM City define suitable ways for its development./.