The experts made the suggestionsat a conference entitled “Local economic development – Practicalexperience” in the southern province of Dong Nai on November 20.The event was co-organised by the Association of Cities of Vietnam, theCanadian Municipalities and the United Nations Human SettlementProgramme (UN-Habitat).

Experts said Vietnamshould develop green transport and industry and build its infrastructureby designing a master plan for hi-tech cities in line with greenindustry and growth, while strengthening the comprehensive management ofwater resources and boosting green urban agriculture associated witheco-tourism.

According to UN-Habitat specialists,Vietnam ’s future green growth strategy should focus on restructuringand upgrading economic establishments in the direction of effectivelyusing natural resources, improving the economy’s competitiveness bytechnology renovation, and economic tool.

This will contribute to dealing with climate change, reducing poverty and ensuring sustainable development, they said.

The experts also pointed out three key strategic missions in realisingthe strategy, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions andincreasing the use of clean and renewable energy, boosting greenproduction through clean industrialisation and effective use of naturalresources, and encourage green lifestyle and sustainable consumption.

Especially, the improvement of environment quality,the acceleration of economic growth and the generation of new jobsare among factors to push the green growth process, they added.

UN-Habitat Director Nguyen Quang said Quang Ninh, Quang Namprovinces and Da Nang city have taken first steps in the work byincluding green growth in their development strategies.

Many experts held that local government and infrastructure system playsignificant roles in deciding the competitiveness of a locality, whileits renovation, human resources, standards and historical heritages arefactors to boost the green growth.

🔯 UN- Habitat hascalculated that with its current urbanisation speed, Vietnam willsee about one million people moving from rural to urban areas everyyear. Therefore, urbanisation poses both opportunities and challengesfor a city’s socio-economic development. And the only solution forVietnam is green growth and a low carbon emission economy, expertssaid.-VNA