The event, within the framework of the Mangroves for the Future (MFF), is an opportunity for participants to exchange opinions on green growth and green port city models, share international experience and lessons learnt in the country as well as the city.

Delegates are scheduled to make policy recommendations and devise an action plan to implement the National Green Growth Strategy in Vietnam and Haiphong in particular.

Haiphong is the third largest city in Vietnam and is one of the most important waterway hubs. By implementing the 2011-2020 National Green Growth Strategy, Haiphong is striving to become a green port city by 2020.

Green growth is the essence of sustainable development, contributing to reducing pressure on the environment caused by rapid economic growth, meeting the economic development orientation of the country, and ensuring people's lives.

In 2012, the Prime Minister approved “the National Green Growth Strategy for the period 2011-2020 with a vision to 2050”.

“Although Haiphong’s economic growth rate has doubled in the past two decades, we still have considerable work to be accomplished to solve serious challenges including soil, water and air pollution,” said Dr Nguyen Van Thanh, Secretary of the Haiphong Party Committee.

He said that to transform into a green port city, Haiphong needs to establish a comprehensive and detailed implementation plan, focusing on promoting people’s awareness, building mechanisms and policies, and restructuring the innovation growth model.

IUCN Vietnam is currently coordinating with Haiphong to work out ​​nature-based solutions and enhance the resilience of coastal areas to address environmental challenges due to the impact of climate change.