State Secretary Adler visits Vietnam
Germany and Vietnam are strengthening cooperation on environmental protection and integrated urban development. State Secretary Adler is currently leading a number of talks in Hanoi with the Vietnamese government on questions of cooperation in the areas of environmental protection, climate action, water management, soil conservation and rehabilitation of contaminated soils, as well as on the New Urban Agenda recently adopted at the Habitat III Conference in Quito.
Adler stressed: "Vietnam is an emerging economy currently facing the major challenge of establishing economic growth that is both sustainable and environmentally compatible. Vietnam is therefore interested in working together with Germany and offers interesting opportunities for German providers of environmental and efficiency technologies. The growing population and palpable urbanisation trend in Vietnam require sustainable urban development. The expansion of urban infrastructures, viable mobility strategies and affordable building that is climate and environment compatible are thus important common issues."
On 10 and 11 November State Secretary Adler is opening two bilateral forums in Vietnam’s capital city Hanoi on heavy metal contamination in soils and water quality management. During a workshop on heavy metals, Adler will present the Vietnamese National Environment Agencies with two mobile x-ray fluorescence analysis spectrometers (XRF), which can detect heavy metals in soils swiftly and cost effectively. The XRF-spectrometers will be used, for instance, on old mining sites. To help improve water protection in Vietnam, German experts are providing information on the technologies and legal provisions which are best suited for reducing municipal and industrial effluent discharges and improving water protection.
Talks with high-level government representatives are focussed on international environmental protection and climate policy, integrated urban development, in particular the implementation of the New Urban Agenda adopted at the Habitat III Conference in October, and Smart Cities projects. State Secretary Adler explained: "It is important that countries implement the decisions taken in Quito by strengthening cities politically, legally and financially over the coming years with a view to creating cities that are more attractive to live in - only then is the Smart Cities initiative a good model."