HCMC – Switzerland has provided a US$5-million grant to Vietnam to aid sustainable urban development and climate resilience in key cities, as per an agreement signed by the Swiss ambassador to Vietnam and the World Bank’s country director for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.
This funding, offered by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), reinforces ongoing cooperation between Switzerland and the World Bank (WB) to advance sustainable urban initiatives across Vietnam.
According to the WB, the grant will facilitate continued partnerships with city governments to incorporate sustainable strategies into urban planning and economic policies, fostering low-carbon and climate-resilient growth in cities like HCMC, Danang, Can Tho, and other strategic urban areas.
The program will leverage international best practices, adapting them to meet Vietnam’s specific needs. The initiative also aims to enhance policy planning capabilities, assist cities and central agencies in diversifying funding sources, and promote knowledge-sharing and collaborative investment efforts.
Switzerland and the WB have a history of joint urban development efforts in Vietnam, including a flood risk management system in Can Tho City, which has contributed to the World Bank’s global sustainable urban and climate adaptation projects.
