On December 17, at An Giang University (Long Xuyen City, An Giang Province), the Mekong Connect 2024 forum was opened. This year's event attracted the attention of central and local leaders, domestic and foreign economic experts, investors, scientists, businesses, and domestic and international organizations.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Le Van Phuoc - Vice Chairman of An Giang Provincial People's Committee - emphasized: Mekong Connect was first held in 2015 and has become a prestigious annual forum, a solid bridge between the provinces and cities of the Mekong Delta with Ho Chi Minh City and the whole country. This year, An Giang is honored to be the province hosting the Mekong Connect Forum 2024 with the theme "Promoting economic, trade and technological cooperation between the Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City and the whole country towards sustainable development in the new competitive context".
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| Mr. Le Van Phuoc - Vice Chairman of An Giang Provincial People's Committee - spoke at the opening ceremony at the Mekong Connect Forum 2024. |
The Mekong Connect 2024 Forum focuses on three key areas to promote economic, trade and technological cooperation. This is the foundation to promote regional economic connectivity, promote local strengths, connect with Ho Chi Minh City and the whole country, towards the goal of green and sustainable development. The three keywords throughout are: "Connection", "Sustainable Development" and "New Competition", promising to bring in-depth discussions and suggest practical action solutions.
Mekong Connect 2024 is held in the context of ESG sustainability standards, from environmental (E) to social (S) and governance (G) being gradually specified into clear regulations and criteria, thereby having a direct and increasingly profound impact on the production, business and export activities of enterprises.
In this movement, two important trends stand out: the interest of investment capital sources in projects and business activities with sustainable elements of enterprises (in environmental - social - governance aspects) and the readiness of human resources (with the capacity to practice sustainable development standards) in enterprises. Meanwhile, the Mekong Delta, which supplies raw materials, goods and human resources to Ho Chi Minh City, is in a situation where it needs to restructure its economic components to adapt to the new normal of climate change, salinity intrusion, lack of fresh water and landslide risks; as well as needing to meet increasingly stringent demands from the market related to green standards, gender equality, and inclusive impact factors for the community and society.
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| Mekong Connect Forum 2024 attracts thousands of attendees. |
Also within the framework of the program is the launching ceremony of the Green Farmer Club of the three regions, marking a step forward in the development of sustainable agriculture and green startups. Along with that, introducing and praising green economic models, circular economy, typical projects from businesses and experts in the region. International startup exchange, with the participation of experts, startup models from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea ...
There is also an exhibition space focusing on the theme of Ho Chi Minh City and Mekong Delta businesses strengthening links and promoting internal strength towards sustainable development. Highlights include the display area of Ho Chi Minh City and An Giang logos, along with booths from Ben Tre, Dong Thap, Can Tho, Vinh Long and Hau Giang. The area is for typical businesses, pioneers in green transformation, digital transformation, along with economic projects that are favorable to nature and adapt to climate change.
Along with that, typical projects connecting Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta in the spirit of Mekong Connect, including the project to bring climate change-resistant trees into the economic and export value chain of HAWA Ho Chi Minh City and a free set of documents guiding farmers on sustainable durian cultivation invested by Ho Chi Minh City enterprises. In addition, the green startup space - creativity from local resources, including typical products from the Mekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh City and many other provinces and cities across the country. This is not only a place to display but also an opportunity for creative ideas to reach many partners, customers and communities at home and abroad.
At Mekong Connect 2024, there will also be livestream sales sessions from 6pm to 12am with the theme of promoting sustainable trade based on local resources. In addition, during this event, there will also be signing ceremonies of cooperation agreements between localities and units within the framework of the Forum, which are important in promoting connectivity, enhancing internal strength, and creating a solid foundation for sustainable development of the region.
In particular, at the event, there will also be a series of seminars and talks, which are not only highlights in terms of content but also create practical connection values, helping to shape a sustainable development strategy for the Mekong Delta region and Ho Chi Minh City.
The event takes place over 2 days, December 17 and 18, 2024.
The Mekong Connect Forum is a strategic regional connectivity initiative, launched in 2015, jointly implemented by the ABCD Mekong network (An Giang - Ben Tre - Can Tho - Dong Thap), with the participation of Ho Chi Minh City. The event marks the first time the forum has taken place in An Giang – a key economic and agricultural locality in the region. Mekong Connect 2024 does not stop at discussing important topics for the local economy but also acts as a practical bridge to realize initiatives, promote regional connectivity and sustainable development in the context of global competition. |
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