Sam Wood, British deputy consul general in HCM City, speaks at the UK Smart Cities Day 2022 organised on Monday in HCM City. — VNS Photo Bồ Xuân Hiệp

HCM CITY — The UK would continue to support Việt Nam to realise its commitments at COP26 through smart city solutions, Sam Wood, British deputy consul general in HCM City, said on Monday.

Speaking at the UK Smart Cities Day 2022, Wood said Việt Nam is a key partner of the UK on digital tech and innovation, including smart cities development.

Việt Nam and the UK established the strategic partnership in 2010. In 2020, the two countries issued a joint statement to expand cooperation in many fields, including trade, investment, and science and technology.

“The UK is willing to share its world-class expertise and technology in smart cities development,” he said.

The event was organised as part of a UK smart cities trade mission to Việt Nam from November 8-15.

The mission, consisting of 11 UK smart city businesses, is showcasing implementation of successful smart cities solutions to the Vietnamese market.

The solutions range from smart economy to smart living, smart environment, smart people, smart government, smart mobility, and smart digital infrastructure, and others.

“Through the mission, we want to create opportunities for both countries to collaborate in smart cities development,” he said.

The mission will be an ideal platform for businesses from the two countries to meet, exchange expertise and explore the scope for collaboration in smart cities development.

Smart cities bring great benefits in building a greener and cleaner world, he said.

Through effective use of technology and data, smart cities will promote economic growth, increase urban resilience and people’s quality of life, according to Wood.

Vũ Anh Tuấn, general secretary of the HCM City Computer Association (HCA), said HCM City is always pushing for best practices in developing and implementing sustainable and green technologies initiatives.

The association will continue to expand cooperation with the UK to provide a strategic platform to bring together resources and expertise in promoting smart city development through science, technology and innovation application, he added.

The event was attended by more than 100 participants representing the Government and private sectors from both HCM City and the UK.

More than 80 B2B sessions on smart cities cooperation between UK and Vietnamese businesses were conducted during the event.

The event was organised by the British Consulate General in HCM City and the HCM City Computer Association. — VNS