Vietnam is ready to cooperate in sustainable urban development.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang said that Vietnam's current urbanization rate is about 42% and the urban economy contributes 70% of total national income.

On October 24, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the 19th Global Forum on Human Settlements took place with the theme "Promoting innovation and local leadership for a sustainable urban future".

The 19th Global Forum on Human Settlements at the UN headquarters in New York, USA. Photo: VNA.

Experts, representatives of countries, international organizations and local leaders of several cities from different regions discussed and exchanged on the current status of urban development globally and proposed solutions to enhance sustainability in urban development, reduce negative impacts on climate and the environment, and mobilize sustainable public and private financial resources to build sustainable cities. Vietnam's current urbanization rate is about 42% and the urban economy contributes 70% of the total national income. Vietnam has increased investment in developing modern, greener urban infrastructure to ensure people's lives. At the regional level, Vietnam also actively participates in the "ASEAN Smart Cities" initiative to improve people's lives through the application of science , technology and digital transformation. However, Vietnam is still facing many difficulties in ensuring balanced urban development across the country, enhancing traffic connections between cities as well as limiting environmental pollution, so Vietnam is ready to cooperate with all relevant partners to develop sustainable urban areas, leaving no one behind.

Speaking as the keynote speaker of the Forum, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, proposed a number of solutions for sustainable urban development:

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, was the keynote speaker at the forum. Photo: Hoai Thanh/VNA correspondent in the United States

First , urban development initiatives and practices need to be linked to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities, as well as the UN New Urban Agenda to accelerate sustainable urban development at the global, regional and national levels. Second , the construction and development of new urban areas need to be greener and smarter, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing resilience to the impacts of climate change and natural disasters. Local governments can play an active role in the urbanization process effectively, through policy development, reform of the legal framework and urban planning. Third , it is necessary to increase financing for urban development, especially in developing countries, through private investment, support from international partners, technology transfer and energy construction in urban design, management and development. Vietnam's current urbanization rate is about 42% and the urban economy contributes 70% of the total national income. Vietnam has increased investment in developing modern, greener urban infrastructure to ensure people's lives. At the regional level, Vietnam is also actively participating in the "ASEAN Smart Cities" initiative to improve people's lives through the application of science, technology, and digital transformation.

However, Vietnam is still facing many difficulties in ensuring balanced urban development across the country, enhancing traffic connections between cities as well as limiting environmental pollution, so Vietnam is ready to cooperate with all relevant partners to develop sustainable urban areas, leaving no one behind./.

Le Quang