The Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue and the Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum will take place in September 2024

DNHN - The 2nd Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue (Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue – FD) in 2024, themed "Industrial transformation: Experiences and priorities in development cooperation", will take place from September 23-24, 2024.

This large-scale multilateral diplomatic event, first held in 2022, aims to strengthen relations between Ho Chi Minh City and its international sister cities while promoting Vietnam’s culture and people to global friends.

In the context of the city's established sister-city relationships with 58 foreign localities, the Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue serves not only to bolster the friendship between the city and these localities but also provides an opportunity to discuss experiences, directions, and solutions to foster cooperation for sustainable development. This event enhances the city's foreign affairs and international cooperation efforts.

The event is an essential platform for effectively implementing the "Strategy to Enhance Ho Chi Minh City's Foreign Affairs to 2030, Vision to 2045" and the "Plan to Promote Relations with Key Localities of Countries that are Strategic Partners of Vietnam for Rapid and Sustainable Development of Ho Chi Minh City 2020-2025." These initiatives aim to elevate the city’s international profile by gathering foreign local leaders, experts, and researchers to discuss and shape international cooperation frameworks for mutual development.

According to Mr. Tran Phuoc Anh, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs, FD 2024 is expected to feature participation from government and business leaders from localities with cooperative relationships with the city. The event aims to effectively and practically implement Ho Chi Minh City's foreign affairs strategy up to 2030, with a vision to 2045, and the plan to promote relations with key localities of countries that are strategic partners of Vietnam.

FD 2024 will also include activities to explore and experience the city's culture, landmarks, and prominent projects, showcasing Ho Chi Minh City as a tourism and investment destination. These activities will strengthen friendships and enhance mutual understanding between the city and international friends.

With the aforementioned goals, FD 2024 will feature a variety of activities such as: Mayor's Conference at the Reunification Palace, involving city leaders and invited delegations to share challenges and discuss initiatives to enhance urban governance, local cooperation in advancing industrial transformation for sustainable development; Groundbreaking Ceremony for the International Friendship Symbol of Ho Chi Minh City at Ben Bach Dang Park, introducing the monument to invited delegates and domestic and international visitors, highlighting the city’s international relations; People-to-People Diplomacy Activities and cultural exchanges for international delegates, such as tasting egg coffee, enjoying balloon rides, and taking river cruises on the Saigon River; Official Reception themed “Vietnam Night,” providing guests with opportunities to explore Vietnamese culture through food displays, art exhibitions, and traditional performances. Guests will experience traditional Vietnamese cuisine, participate in folk dances, and perform traditional musical instruments…

“We hope that with the correct policies, directions, and the determination of city leaders, along with the support of central and local agencies, this event will bring about concrete and positive results for the city's sustainable development process, marking a new step in building Ho Chi Minh City's brand in the eyes of international friends,” said Mr. Tran Phuoc Anh.

Simultaneously, the 5th Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum (HEF) 2024 will be held from September 24-27, 2024, with the theme “Industrial Transformation, a New Driver for Sustainable Development in Ho Chi Minh City.” Expected attendees include the Prime Minister, central government leaders, city leaders, representatives from diplomatic and consular agencies, foreign localities, international financial institutions (World Bank, IFC, ADB...), international organizations like WEF, and leaders from foreign localities from 25 countries, as well as domestic and international businesses, approximately 50 local experts and international experts in industrial transformation, innovation, and sustainable development.

Additionally, to implement cooperation between the Vietnamese Government and the World Economic Forum (WEF) for the 2023-2026 period and the agreement signed by Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai with WEF leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland) on January 16, 2024, Ho Chi Minh City and WEF will cooperate to establish the Fourth Industrial Revolution Center (C4IR) in Ho Chi Minh City, located at the High-Tech Park. This will be the second center established in Southeast Asia, after C4IR Malaysia, and the 19th globally. To mark this special milestone, the city will hold the C4IR inauguration ceremony within the HEF 2024 framework.

According to Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Business Association and a representative of the HEF 2024 organizing committee: “In the context of the world entering the Fourth Industrial Revolution and increasingly deepening international integration, Vietnamese businesses are facing significant opportunities and challenges. They need to actively seize opportunities and overcome difficulties to advance. Particularly, with the growing global demand for green products and services, meeting green standards such as Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) has become a condition for exporting goods worldwide and enhancing the domestic market. To achieve this, industrial transformation is a solution that businesses must implement. However, during this transition, businesses face many difficulties due to high investment costs, underdeveloped technology infrastructure, and challenging access to cybersecurity solutions…”

This year, HEF 2024 will feature various activities related to businesses and the city’s residents from April to October 2024, including: Conference on Innovation and Startups 2024; Workshop on “Potential for Developing a Circular Economy in Ho Chi Minh City - Priority Areas and Key Tasks”; Launch of the “Search for Innovative Solutions in the Public Sector 2024” competition; Workshop on the Fourth Industrial Revolution Center in Ho Chi Minh City (C4IR) - A New Driver for Sustainable Development; Award Ceremony for “Green Enterprise” in the city; International Scientific Workshop on “Developing Green Transportation Towards Green and Sustainable Urban Development in Ho Chi Minh City...”

Uyen Nhi