The meeting between Can Tho leaders and the consuls general of Australia, the US, and Japan on October 24 (Photo: VNA)

At the event, participants expressed their hopes to tighten cooperation to help promote regional and international peace and prosperity, with a focus on the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals and climate change adaptation in the Mekong Delta.

Australian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Sarah Hooper said her country pays special attention to the development and prosperity of Asia-Pacific, including Vietnam, so as to achieve the sustainable goals.

Since 2000, the Australian Government has invested 650 million AUD (413.3 million USD) in the Mekong Delta to improve local infrastructure, boost investment attraction, develop human resources, and facilitate innovation.

She also underlined bilateral cooperation in developing climate-resilient plant varieties, implementing projects benefiting coastal areas, commercializing studies’ results, and carrying out the Mekong - Australia Partnership.

Consul General of the US in HCM City Susan Burns said the US prioritizes cooperation with the Mekong Delta, including Can Tho, especially in the fields of climate change response, public health, and higher education. It will continue to carry out key activities in humanitarian assistance, war legacy settlement, and unexploded ordnance clearance.

Japanese Consul General in HCM City Ono Masuo noted Japanese businesses are strong at biotechnology, clean energy, and the processing - manufacturing industry serving agriculture. Therefore, the Northeast Asian country hopes to enhance partnerships in these areas.

Japanese Consul General in HCM City Ono Masuo (L) and Consul General of the US in HCM City Susan Burns at the meeting (Photo: VNA)
For his part, Secretary of the Can Tho Party Committee Nguyen Van Hieu said that as the centre of the Mekong Delta, his city is willing to expand multi-faceted ties with foreign partners, including Australia, the US, and Japan, which all have good relations with Vietnam.
Given the strengths of Australia, he expressed his hope that the two sides will step up collaboration in agriculture, health care, renewable energy, information technology, telecommunications, and real estate, among others.
To the US, Can Tho wishes to bolster ties in sharing experience in in-depth medical techniques, supporting disadvantaged patients, implementing the programmes and projects on climate change adaptation and impact mitigation, Hieu noted.
To Japan, the official added, Can Tho is proud to be one of the localities actively contributing to the Vietnam - Japan relations, especially amid the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties this year.
The city has built the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Industrial Park as part of the Hung Phu 1 Industrial Park in Cai Rang district, which is a favourable condition for potential investors from Japan to make investment, he went on, adding that it also looks forwards to stronger connections with Japan in labour, vocational training, supporting industries, the processing and manufacturing industry, high technology, and logistics.