World Cities Summit 2024 (WCS 2024),  jointly organised by Singapore’s Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), took place on June 4 - 6 in Singapore, with the participation of delegates from 90 cities around the world, including three from Vietnam.

With the theme of Liveable and Sustainable Cities: Rejuvenate, Reinvent, Reimagine, WCS 2024 aims to highlight the importance of reshaping, regenerating and reinvigorating urban developments, transforming them into smart, resilient and regenerative cities of the future.

The three delegations from Vietnam include Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC),  northern Hai Phong city, and  the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong.

Within the framework of the Summit, the parties exchange experiences on development challenges that cities are facing such as climate change, industrial revolution 4.0, green economy; aging population problem, and living environment improvement, among others.

Accordingly, Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Council  Pham Thanh Kien and his delegation had an exchange and meeting with businesses and international speakers about the flexible and regenerated city.

The Ho Chi Minh City delegation also discussed with Darwin Mayor from Australia about the potential cooperation between the two cities. 

It is expected that a second cooperation agreement between the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Planning and Architecture and Singapore's CLC will be signed on this occasion to promote infrastructure study in Ho Chi Minh City.

Other activities include an exchange with Plenary Group, an Australian investment fund of public-private partnership in infrastructure projects, to discuss the investment opportunities in healthcare projects in Ho Chi Minh City; a meeting with officials from the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore to discuss bilateral relations and opportunities for further cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore.

Aside from that are visits to the Marina Bay area, Clarke Quay, and the Singapore River to learn about Singapore's experience in developing infrastructure and services related to waterways for tourism, culture, and the night-time economy.

Meanwhile, as of May 2024, there have been 82 investment projects invested by Singapore in Hai Phong city, with a total investment capital of more than $3.2 billion, including 63 projects concentrated in industrial parks and economic zones, reaching more than $3 billion. Investment fields of the Singaporean investors in Hai Phong focuses mainly on the industrial sector (nearly 80%), and the remaining sectors are real estate, infrastructure, logistics, trade, machinery, and textiles.

Attending the WCS 2024, Hai Phong city also expects to learn and exchange issues related to the digital economy and innovation, sustainable development, finance, urban management, infrastructure, experience in start-up activities. The Hai Phong delegation had meetings with a number of partners  to strengthen cooperation and deepen the relationship between the two sides.

Similarly, the Dak Nong province delegation is expected to have many important activities such as meeting a number of partners, attending seminars with international speakers on flexible and regenerated cities.

The WSC is held every two years in Singapore. Mr Hugh Lim, Executive Director, Centre for Liveable Cities, said, that over the years, the WCS has brought together many government and industry leaders and experts to share knowledge and experiences, and discuss today's pressing urban challenges.

"People's needs are evolving, and as we continue on our journey towards building sustainable, resilient and liveable cities, it is timely for leaders from different sectors to convene on this global platform to evaluate and pave the way for innovative urban solutions," he added. "WCS 2024 will delve into the tools needed, the know-hows and the paradigm shifts required. Through collaborative engagement, we will strive towards a collective vision for the cities of the future, with sustainability and resilience at the forefront."

Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said that since the turn of the century, the trend of urbanisation has accelerated globally. More than half of the world’s population currently lives in cities. This is projected to grow further to almost 70% by 2050. Not only will we have more cities in the years ahead, our cities are also becoming bigger and more complex.

"As a city, we face the same constraints and challenges that all cities around the world face," the Deputy Prime Minister said. "But challenges are also opportunities. Cities, with their vibrancy and dynamism, can serve as problem-solvers and pathfinders for a better future. Innovation is central to how cities transform ourselves for the future."