Hanoi and New York would further strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including investment and urban development.

Overview of the meeting.

This sentiment was echoed by Hanoi People's Council Chairman Nguyen Ngoc Tuan when he met with New York Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi on August 19.

Highlighting New York's status as the largest city in the US and a hub of global finance, politics, entertainment and culture, Tuan stressed that the bond between Vietnam and the US, especially between the cities of Hanoi and New York, has been growing stronger and steadier.

He stressed that the purpose of the Hanoi delegation's visit is to strengthen the friendly relationship between the two cities, as previous cooperation efforts have not fully realized the potential and capabilities of both sides. Looking ahead, Tuan suggested continuing cooperation through high-level and professional exchanges to foster growth in areas such as investment, trade, tourism, education and training.

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Ngoc Tuan and New York's Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi.

He also expressed Hanoi's eagerness to share insights on urban management, smart city development, and various areas of mutual interest such as planning, public transportation, drainage, waste management, climate change adaptation, and more.

On this occasion, Chairman Tuan extended a warm invitation to leaders from New York City to visit Hanoi in the near future.

Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi expressed her pleasure in hosting the Hanoi delegation. Recognizing the efficient management of the Covid-19 pandemic and the reopening trends in various countries, including Vietnam and the US, Joshi anticipated favorable prospects for revitalizing and intensifying cooperative and friendly relations between the two nations and cities.

She assured that New York will actively establish communication channels and assign specialized agencies to facilitate sharing urban development experience, especially in areas important to Hanoi.

In addition, New York pledged to provide business support and market intelligence to encourage increased US investment in Vietnam and Hanoi, she noted.

Hanoi's delegation visits the flood prevention and water drainage project in New York's eastern region.

During the meeting, the two sides reached consensus on various avenues for cooperation in the foreseeable future, with a particular focus on strengthening ties through delegation exchanges, facilitating cultural interaction, and making progress toward signing a Memorandum of Understanding.

As part of its program in New York, the Hanoi delegation met with the New York City Department of Design and Construction to assess the flood control and drainage project in the eastern region of the city. This project is of great importance in dealing with flooding problems.

While in New York City, the Hanoi delegation also visited and met with staff of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations.

Hanoi's delegation and the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations.

Speaking on behalf of Hanoi's leadership, Tuan provided insights into recent socio-economic developments in the capital. He expressed his wish that the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations continue its efforts to present Hanoi's image to international acquaintances and to foster friendly ties between Hanoi and various places in the United States. At the same time, he called for support in expanding investment initiatives and facilitating exchanges in various fields.

Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, provided an overview of some of the activities of the UN delegation and shared information on specific sectors, suggesting a synergy between Hanoi and the UN's targeted programs and sustainable development ventures. These include issues such as clean water, environmental protection, urban planning and development, cultural enrichment, scientific advancement, education and training, smart city construction, and creative urban concepts.

Highlighting the great potential for cooperation between Hanoi and New York, Giang emphasized the importance of Hanoi delving into areas in which New York excels, including investment strategies, urban development management, education and training, scientific and technological advancement, and the promotion of innovative start-ups. He also reiterated the willingness of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations to serve as a bridge to propell cooperation and friendly relations between Hanoi and New York.