Hanoi is seeking cooperation with cities and capitals in ASEAN toward the shared prosperity of the region and the world.

Overview of the event. Source: VNA

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Duong Duc Tuan gave the remarks at the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Mayors Forum (AMF 2022) and the meeting of Governors/Mayors of ASEAN Capitals (MGMAC 2022) on December 2.

The Hanoi delegation led by the Vice Chairman attended the MCMAC 2022 and the AMF 2022 at Phnom Penh on December 2-3 at the invitation of Phnom Penh’s Governor Khuong Sreng.

The events were initiatives of Indonesia to bolster city-level cooperation among the ASEAN community, with Hanoi being an active member during the 2013-2019 period.

However, the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the continuity of both MGMAC and AMF in 2020-2021.

Overview of the event.

This year, given the pandemic situation now under control, Phnom Penh as the capital of Cambodia – the country serving as ASEAN Chairmanship in 2022 – resumed hosting these events to help enhance efficiency during the development process of ASEAN cities and capitals in the new context.

At the AMF 2022, themed “Strengthening ASEAN collaboration through accelerating the implementation of smart, resilient, and sustainable cities for transformative and inclusive urban living in the new normal” and the MGMAC as “Promoting comprehensive cooperation for smart, resilient, and sustainable cities”, delegates have discussed solutions on a series of topics.

The issues include sustainable finance for urban development, ASEAN sustainable urbanization, action program for environmental protection in an urban context, e-government, and plans to realize sustainable goals at each locality.

At the closing ceremony, Hanoi’s Vice Chairman signed the joint deceleration of the AMF 2022 and participated in the process of issuing Phnom Penh’s declaration to map out the orientation for cooperation between cities and capitals in ASEAN for the establishment of smart, resilient, and sustainable cities during the new situation.

The two-day AMF 2022 and MGMAC 2022 are attended by representatives of about 80 cities and provinces in the ASEAN region and more than 30 major cities outside the bloc.

Jakarta – the capital of Indonesia, would be the next hosting city for the AMF 2023 and the MGMAC 2023.