The first World Student Festival HCM City 2024 and the eighth International Student Science Forum were officially kicked off in HCM City on August 2. — Photo Courtesy of the organiser

HCM CITY — The first World Student Festival HCM City 2024 and the eighth International Student Science Forum were officially kicked off in HCM City on Friday (August 2).

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the municipal People’s Committee Deputy Chairwoman Trần Thị Diệu Thúy said the youth in all countries play a critical role, particularly their pioneering role in creating roads towards sustainable development goals for communities.

“The city has always created favourable conditions for students and youngsters to maximise their potential and capabilities through a range of activities,” she said.

The festival and forum are expected to contribute to enhancing exchanges and connections, fostering mutual understanding among youths and students from various countries and territories with their peers in Việt Nam in general and HCM City in particular, she said.

Trần Thu Hà, deputy secretary of Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union -HCM City chapter and president of the Vietnamese Student Association in HCM City, said the festival’s theme “Igniting youth-led social impact: from local to global” underscores the pioneering role of youth and students in promoting positive changes for community development, encouraging their contributions to global issues, especially the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

The four-day festival seeks to create an environment that enhances skills, fosters leadership, and drives positive community changes.

Activities allow local and international students to interact and experience diverse cultures, and promote the city’s cultural beauty and development achievements globally.

The event has attracted significant interest from students at universities, colleges, and institutes both domestically and internationally.

From nearly 500 student registrations for the festival and submissions for the International Student Science Forum, the organising committee selected 177 official delegates from 11 countries.

This includes 79 international students, seven representatives from Vietnamese student associations abroad and 20 students from various regions within Việt Nam.

These delegates are outstanding representatives in various fields, coming together to affirm their commitment to community action by establishing the "Friendship Youth Network" during the festival’s formal session.

The festival also features tours to cultural and historical sites in the city, traditional cultural and artistic activities at the Phương Nam Theatre, and a visit to the municipal People's Committee headquarters, among others. — VNS