Mekong Connect Forum 2023 towards green and sustainable economy

Mr. Truong Canh Tuyen, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, talked with Prof. Dr. Vo Tong Xuan - Vietnam's leading agricultural expert

(HG) - On the morning of November 16, the Mekong Connect Forum Plenary Session with the theme "Connecting supply chains and value chains between the Ho Chi Minh City economic region and the Mekong Delta (MD) towards a green and sustainable economy" took place at the hall of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee. Attending the Forum were Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan; Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Hoang Minh. Leaders of Ho Chi Minh City and provinces and cities in the MD. On the side of the leaders of Hau Giang province, there was Mr. Truong Canh Tuyen, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan speaks at the Mekong Connect 2023 forum.

In his welcoming speech, Mr. Vo Van Hoan, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, said that Ho Chi Minh City identifies a close regional connection between the city and provinces and cities in the task of economic development, towards a green and sustainable economy. The Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee emphasized that the Mekong Connect forum in 2023 continues to be a bridge and a contact channel between the governments of provinces and cities; between businesses and the government; between scientific experts and the government... with the common desire to promote connections, promote the strengths of each locality, together towards the goal of economic and social development, green and sustainable economic development.

Mr. Vo Van Hoan, Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee spoke at the forum.

According to Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan, Ho Chi Minh City has just been issued Resolution 98 by the National Assembly on piloting specific mechanisms and policies for city development. However, all developments in Ho Chi Minh City have a spillover effect to the entire region, even to Ca Mau, or to the North, which is the expectation of the Central Government and the National Assembly when issuing the Resolution. Therefore, this is not the story of Ho Chi Minh City alone, but the story of 13 provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta to welcome the opportunity of Ho Chi Minh City as welcoming their own opportunity, because the economic space has no administrative boundaries. The Minister also stated that it must be recognized that the contribution of Ho Chi Minh City to the development of the country in recent times is partly contributed by the provinces in the Mekong Delta. Regarding the story of regional connectivity in the Mekong Delta, if the economic connectivity is not shaped, in the end it will only be an infrastructure network.

Discussing the topic “Taking advantage of policy leverage to strengthen economic and trade linkages between the Ho Chi Minh City economic region and the Mekong Delta”.

Regarding green growth and sustainable development, the Minister affirmed that the awareness of green growth and green consumption has been deeply ingrained in people's minds. This is an irreversible trend. The Minister believes that products need to be made differently and must be superior. Young people need to find the difference to start a business.

Signing of cooperation agreement to implement some key contents of the Industry and Trade sector between Ho Chi Minh City and provinces and cities for the period 2023-2025.

Mekong Connect 2023 is the 8th time the forum has taken place, this year hosted by Ho Chi Minh City, with the participation of 13 provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta. This is a step forward in the spirit of Connect Mekong, after two connections in March 2023, the signing of the Agreement on Socio-Economic Development Cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and the provinces and cities of the Mekong Delta, and then in July 2023, the implementation of this cooperation agreement. Thus, Mekong Connect is a milestone of 2023, promoting the connection of supply chains and value chains between Ho Chi Minh City and 13 provinces and cities of the Mekong Delta towards a green economy and sustainable development.

Loc Troi Group Joint Stock Company signed an agreement to accompany Ho Chi Minh City in stabilizing rice prices.

Before the Plenary Session on the morning of November 16, sideline activities of the forum were organized such as: Seminar "Promoting online sales through online platforms for the young agricultural business community and OCOP subjects"; "Exhibition with the theme "Vietnam's green and sustainable economy"; 4 parallel discussion sessions with the topics: "Creating an environment for the business community of the green economy", "Emerging markets: Recycling and Carbon Credits", "Solutions to expand the market for Vietnamese products in the world economic picture 2024", "Solutions to promote green consumption trends in society and green transformation in the business community".