HANOI, November 4, 2024¡ªThe Swiss government and the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ have signed an agreement to promote green and resilient growth in Viet Nam¡¯s major cities. The US$5 million grant initiative, financed by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), also aims to strengthen the ongoing partnership between Switzerland and the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ in advancing sustainable urban development in Viet Nam.
¡°This grant enables us to support continued dialogue to integrate sustainable practices within the city¡¯s urban planning and economic policies, building a model for climate-resilient, and low-carbon urban development,¡± said Mariam J. Sherman, ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ Country Director for Viet Nam, Cambodia and Lao PDR. ¡°The funding will deepen our engagement with Viet Nam¡¯s largest cities, particularly Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Can Tho, as they advance toward a vision of green growth.¡±
The Viet Nam Accelerating Green and Resilient Growth in Large Cities Single-Donor Trust Fund aims to help large Vietnamese cities grow more sustainably while managing the increasing risks and mitigating the future impacts of climate change. Under this program, the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ will develop a knowledge base of technical and operational best practices, drawing on international expertise adapted to the local context, to provide strategic solutions for urban challenges. The program will also strengthen policy-making capacity and support cities and national agencies in mobilizing and diversifying financial resources for investment projects while promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing.
¡°This partnership reflects Switzerland¡¯s commitment to sustainable urban development in Viet Nam,¡± said H.E. Thomas Gass, Swiss Ambassador to Viet Nam. ¡°By combining Swiss financing with ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ knowledge, we aim to help Vietnamese cities achieve their green growth objectives while building resilience against climate challenges.¡±
Switzerland and the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ have been long-term strategic partners in supporting urban development in Viet Nam. This initiative builds on previous successful collaborations, including one that established the country¡¯s first flood risk management system in Can Tho. The impact of these joint efforts extends beyond Viet Nam, shaping the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳¡¯s Sustainable Urban and Regional Development Program and , both of which are also financed by Switzerland at the global level.
