HCMC, Germany expand environmental cooperation

Saxony (Germany) possesses strong expertise in water supply, wastewater treatment, and climate change adaptation - areas where Ho Chi Minh City actively seeks cooperation.

On the morning of September 7, Nguyen Manh Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, received Clemens Schülke, Deputy Mayor and Commissioner for Economic Affairs, Labor and Digital Transformation of Leipzig, and a delegation from the German state of Saxony, who were on a working visit to Ho Chi Minh City.

At the meeting, Nguyen Manh Cuong said that following the recent administrative boundary adjustments, Ho Chi Minh City has significant room for development, while also facing major demands for infrastructure, environmental protection and climate change adaptation.

Against this backdrop, Ho Chi Minh City seeks to strengthen cooperation with German partners, particularly the state of Saxony, in environmental protection, climate change response, as well as infrastructure and technology solutions.

Notably, the Saxony delegation said that water is a key issue for infrastructure and quality of life. German companies also have extensive experience in providing clean water and wastewater treatment solutions in Vietnam.

According to Clemens Schülke, Saxony’s partners are ready to leverage their business strengths to support Ho Chi Minh City in areas with strong cooperation potential, including water supply and wastewater treatment. Several Saxony-based companies and partners have also begun operations in Ho Chi Minh City, including cooperation with Saigon Water Corporation.

This cooperation is particularly significant as Ho Chi Minh City is addressing multiple environmental challenges faced by a major urban center, from ensuring water supplies and treating wastewater to strengthening its capacity to adapt to climate change.

In addition to environmental issues, the two sides discussed potential cooperation in high technology, healthcare, microelectronics, semiconductors, traffic safety and the circular economy. The Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee proposed that cooperation programs should be closely aligned with the city’s practical development needs while promoting the formation of a technology and innovation ecosystem.

Clemens Schülke said Saxony is also facing development challenges and is ready to share its experience and connect businesses to work with Ho Chi Minh City in seeking appropriate solutions.

In particular, stronger cooperation in clean water supply, wastewater treatment, the circular economy and climate change response could open up new approaches, enabling the city to access advanced technologies and management expertise while connecting German businesses with environmental projects in the coming period.

Le Binh