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 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. Specifically, Cao Lanh cable-stayed Bridge, and My Thuan Bridge are funded by the Government of Australia.

Australian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Sarah Hooper 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.

The Australian Government also implemented the “Mekong - Australia Partnership” Program, focusing on building environmental resilience to strengthen water security, promoting clean and renewable energy, and climate change adaptation, with a support package worth US$94.5 million. In addition, it is expected that in upcoming November, the Australian Consulate General will coordinate with Can Tho city to organize a tree planting activity on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Australia and the ceremony announcing a USD 2.5 million support package from the Australian Government for Mekong Delta businesses called “Business Partnership Platform: Climate Change Adaptation”

The meeting between Can Tho City leaders and the consuls general of Australia, Japan, and the United States on October 24

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.

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

Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu, Secretary of Can Tho Municipal Party Committee, spoke at the meeting

For his part, Secretary of the Can Tho Municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Hieu said that as the hub of the Mekong Delta, Can Tho 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 Japan, the Secretary of the Can Tho Municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Hieu 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 favorable condition for potential investors from Japan to make investment, he went on, adding that it also looks forward to stronger connections with Japan in labor, vocational training, supporting industries, the processing and manufacturing industry, high technology, and logistics.

To the United States, Can Tho wishes to bolster ties in sharing experience in in-depth medical techniques, supporting disadvantaged patients, and implementing programs and projects on climate change adaptation and impact mitigation, Hieu noted.