According to WWF representatives, the One Planet City Challenge program (OPCC) was initiated to call for action and assist cities in their global transition towards an environmentally friendly future while promoting climate change adaptation and mitigation measures.

According to Mr. Tran Anh Tuan - WWF's OPCC Program Technical Advisor, the OPCC program was first piloted by WWF in Sweden in 2011 and has spread around the world since 2013. Since 2017, the program has been held every 2 years with an ever-expanding scale. Currently, there are more than 320 cities in 20 countries participating in the OPCC. The program contributes to raising public and enterprises' awareness of green growth and sustainable development. Moreover, through the Program, cities have the opportunity to share knowledge, effective and smart solutions for low-carbon and climate-resilient urban development, thus promoting the global transition towards a 100% renewable energy future. In Vietnam, since 2015, WWF has supported several cities to participate in the OPCC Program namely Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Dong Ha, Dong Hoi, and Vinh.

After receiving some advice from relevant departments, Mr. Duong Tan Hien, the Standing Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho city, says: “Can Tho is a tier-1 city directly under the Central Government. Therefore, the city has to face environmental pollutions in the urban development process. During those stages of development, the city’s leaders have had many solutions, simultaneously participated in programs, implemented measures, and agreed within the available capacity to mitigate the environmental pollution.

Recognizing the similarities between the OPCC 2021 - 2022 with other programs that the city of Can Tho is participating like 100 resilient cities of the Rockefeller Foundation and in line with the city's view and goal of building a sustainable urban area, Can Tho city agrees and unanimously participates in the OPCC Program 2021 - 2022, aiming to reduce environmental pollution, creating a green, clean, beautiful and modern urban city, but must adapt to the topography of the Mekong Delta.

According to Mr. Duong Tan Hien, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment will act as the direct focal point and cooperate with the Department of Planning and Investment, the Department of Construction, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, according to the mandates and functions, will provide the necessary data and information for WWF to successfully implement the OPCC 2021-2022 Program.