Vietnam Urban Sustainable Development Forum 2024

In celebration of Vietnam Urban Day on November 8 and in alignment with the theme of the 12th World Urban Forum (WUF12) session, “It All Starts at Home,” as well as to advance urban sustainability, the Ministry of Construction will host the 3rd Vietnam Urban Sustainability Summit on November 8, 2024, in Hanoi. Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Viet Hung, former Deputy Minister of Construction Phan Thi My Linh; leaders of embassies of several countries in Vietnam; representatives of ministries, branches, localities, domestic and international organizations attended the Forum.

Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Viet Hung spoke to open the Forum.

The Vietnam Urban Forum is one of the annual events organized by the Ministry of Construction to evaluate achievements, identify challenges in the urbanization process, as well as create opportunities for managers, experts, and scientists to exchange and discuss key issues, good practices and lessons, and practical policies to promote Vietnam's urbanization process in the coming period.

At the forum, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Viet Hung highlighted the increasingly positive contributions of urban areas to Vietnam’s socio-economic development, noting an urbanization rate of approximately 43.1% with around 902 urban areas nationwide. Thanks to the contribution of urban areas, Vietnam’s economy reached 430 billion USD in 2023, with urban incomes standing nearly 1.5 times higher than those in rural areas.

However, Vietnam's urban areas have been facing challenges such as: widespread urbanization, low urban density; traffic congestion, local flooding, lack of housing, lack of infrastructure and green space...

On behalf of the leaders of the Ministry of Construction, the Deputy Minister thanked the leaders of the Central Government, provinces and cities, the business community, experts, international organizations for their attention and support; especially the outstanding efforts of the authorities and people of the cities. These contributions have played a very important role in the development of Vietnam's urban system.

Ms. Laura Petrella - Head of Planning, Finance and Economics, United Nations Human Settlements Programme delivered an online speech at the Forum.

Ms. Laura Petrella - Head of Planning, Finance and Economics, United Nations Human Settlements Programme acknowledged and highly appreciated the achievements that Vietnam has made in recent years, especially in implementing programs and projects on sustainable urban development, responding to climate change, and improving the quality of life of urban residents. She affirmed that the United Nations Human Settlements Programme always paid attention and accompanied with Vietnam in implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Vietnam Amal Abdel Kader Elmorsi Salama spoke at the Forum.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Vietnam Amal Abdel Kader Elmorsi Salama assessed that Vietnam has promptly taken actions to develop the urban and rural system as well as improve technical and social infrastructure, urban-rural connectivity, and focus on the rational use of resources. All these efforts are in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Swiss Confederation to Vietnam Thomas Gass spoke at the Forum.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Swiss Confederation to Vietnam Thomas Gass said that cities around the world are facing serious risks due to their high population, business and infrastructure densities. By supporting green climate resilience and low-carbon urban development, Switzerland hopes to contribute to making cities more resilient and improving the quality of life for all residents. Green finance and mobilizing resources for the green transition are key to ensuring that Vietnamese cities meet their climate goals. Switzerland will continue to attract public and private investment in sustainable infrastructure as well as build the capacity of financial institutions to better manage climate risks.

Ambassador Thomas Gass reaffirmed Switzerland’s strong commitment in supporting Vietnam’s goal towards resilient, inclusive and sustainable urban growth.

Overview of the Forum.

After the plenary session, seminars on sustainable urban development policies in Vietnam; implementing sustainable development goals and new urban programs in Vietnam; urban adaptation to climate change, towards sustainable are taken place in the framework of the Vietnam Urban Sustainable Development Forum 2024.