Authorities of Ho Chi Minh City and the Netherlands shared an understanding of responding to climate change and easing flooding in metropolitan areas during a reception held by the city’s vice-chairman Bui Xuan Cuong for Michiel Sweers, deputy minister of foreign trade of the Netherlands Foreign Ministry, on Friday.

At the meeting, Cuong stated that Vietnam and the Netherlands are enhancing the exchange of cooperation opportunities between the two countries, particularly in areas that are significant to Ho Chi Minh City, especially in response to climate change and sustainable development.

Also, the southern metropolis  aims to strengthen connections with Dutch businesses and partners in priority areas, such as port development, green urbanization, and addressing urban challenges like waste and wastewater management.

At the same time, the city welcomes and creates favorable conditions for Dutch businesses to invest and operate in the High-Tech Park within semiconductor, microchip manufacturing, and other technology-intensive and high value-added sectors.

According to Cuong, Ho Chi Minh City is actively implementing various programs and plans to respond to climate change.

Ho Chi Minh City’s authorities at the meeting with Michiel Sweers, deputy minister of foreign trade of the Netherlands Foreign Ministry, November 3, 2023. Photo: Nghi Vu / Tuoi Tre

“The city is facing so many challenges, but it brings opportunities for investors,” Cuong said.

The Netherlands is a country with one-third of its territory below sea level, Sweers said and mentioned that his homeland shares many challenges in common with Ho Chi Minh City.

He expressed that the Netherlands can share with Ho Chi Minh its knowledge and experiences, but also learn from the situation of the city. 

Sweers reminded that Ho Chi Minh City and the city of Rotterdam signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in July this year to jointly research the current state of climate change and flooding in the Vietnamese city.

Through this agreement, the Netherlands aims to enhance interactions, connections, and progress toward concrete discussions that will shape the direction of cooperation between the leadership of the two countries into specific projects.

Being heavily affected by high tides and at risk of submersion due to rising sea levels, Ho Chi Minh City is actively seeking solutions to cope with these challenges and is highly interested in the climate change adaptation and resilience model of the city of Rotterdam.

The vice chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City praised the multifunctional flood control infrastructure in the Netherlands, which not only serves flood prevention but also contributes to transportation and landscapes.

Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City is currently focusing on tidal control, especially in the eastern areas, including Thu Duc City.

The areas of climate change adaptation and sustainable development present opportunities for enhanced cooperation between the Netherlands and Ho Chi Minh City in the future.

The Netherlands is also willing to introduce potential investors and financial funds to support the implementation of local development projects in the city.

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