At the meeting, representatives of various departments and branches provided updates on the preparation of the 12th Vietnam-France Decentralized Cooperation Conference, including program content, scenarios, facilities and organizational plans. The head of the Foreign Affairs Department reported that with the support and effective guidance of the city leaders, the organizing committee and sub-committees have been working diligently and with determination to ensure that the conference is well organized.
The conference is held every three years, alternating between Vietnam and France, to promote cooperation and investment between localities in the two countries. This year's conference is particularly significant as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France (1973-2023) and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership.
The theme of this year's conference is "Local Cooperation: Motivation for Comprehensive Recovery and Sustainable Development after the Covid-19 Pandemic". The conference will include several discussion sessions aimed at proposing effective measures to strengthen cooperation at the local level and sharing experiences in responding to and recovering from health and economic crises, among other topics.
One of the main highlights of the Vietnam-France local cooperation conference is the inclusion of 4 thematic sessions: "Sustainable Cities", "Environment, Water, and Water Treatment", "Culture, Heritage, and Tourism", and "Smart Cities and Digitization". In addition, several side activities will be organized, such as a local promotion space featuring 100-120 booths to showcase the culture, tourist attractions, consumer products, and characteristics of Vietnamese localities. The "Balade en France" festival will also be held, featuring 50 booths of French-Vietnamese businesses operating in the fields of restaurants, hotels, agriculture, and food. The festival will introduce the public to French agriculture, food industry, and culinary arts. Finally, the Vietnam-France Economic Forum will provide opportunities for business representatives to discuss investment and cooperation possibilities.
According to reports from various departments and branches, the preparation work for the conference, which will take place in Hanoi from April 13 to 16, 2023, is currently on schedule. The conference website, https://vf12.vn/, has been operational since February 16, 2022, providing information about Vietnam-France relations, introducing localities and bilateral cooperation.
During the meeting, Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen presented a report on the reception and logistics for the delegations attending the Vietnam-France local cooperation conference. He stated that the relevant agencies and units have been closely coordinating and are on track to meet the proposed plan. Vice Chairman Duong Duc Tuan also reported on the active coordination with provinces, cities, and localities in Vietnam and France, building upon the city's experience in international events.
The Organization Subcommittee and representatives from relevant departments and branches also reported on their plans to ensure the safety and security of the delegations, as well as control over people entering and exiting the conference. They also shared updates on delegation information and schedules, and discussed any issues that need to be addressed during the organization process.
Chairman of the City People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh concluded the meeting by emphasizing the importance of the upcoming Vietnam-France local cooperation conference, which is being held for the 12th time and carries significant significance as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France (1973-2023), and the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership.
