Vietnam Urban Forum (VUF): Strengthening Urban Management and Development through Policy Dialogue and Capacity Enhancement - Introduction to Urban Climate Resilience Community of Practice (UCR-CoP) Mr. Walter Koditek, Integrated Expert (CIM/GIZ) Urban Development Agency - MOC - Standing Agency VUF VACI - 2nd International Symposium Hanoi,

1 VUF - Formulation and development 2 Vision and prioritized action areas 3 Capacity and potential 4 Member registration 5 Introduction to UCR-CoP

VUF - Formulation and development Urbanisation issues - external expressions

Urbanisation issues - underlying aspects “Lessons from other rapidly urbanizing countries clearly demonstrate the benefits of urbanization but also the potential pitfalls and costs that can occur where unplanned, uninformed and unsustainable development are allowed to occur.” Ms. Victoria Kwakwa, Country Director WB, November 7, 2013 “Vietnam will only have one chance to get urbanization right. If we fail at urbanization, we will fail at industrialization and modernization.” Former Deputy PM Nguyen Sinh Hung, at Vietnam National Urban Conference, November 6-7, 2009 VUF - Formulation and development

In 2003, members signed an MOU establishing the Vietnam Urban Forum, with the task: VUF - Formulation and development “To promote dialogue for sharing of experience and knowledge among government agencies, science/ professional, social/political and non-government organizations, entities and individuals of all economic sectors and the donors, with the aim of actively contributing to the formulation and implementation of policies on urban development and management, and improving the effectiveness of urban development and management activities.”

VUF - Four main objectives Vision and prioritized action areas FACILITATING – SHARING - TRANSFORMING Policy Dialogue Knowledge Sharing Policy Recommendations Information Management To enhance: mutual understanding effective cooperation clear ODA needs and priorities investment promotion To enable: experience exchange networking and peer learning replication of good practices To provide: effective collection quality assessment editing, and dissemination To facilitate: identified needs for change policy proposals and recommendations submission to GoV for decision

National Stakeholder Workshop in July 2012 in Da Nang ‘Community of Practice on Urban Climate Resilience in Vietnam’ Vision and prioritized action areas

National Urban Conference ‘Vietnam Cities Tomorrow – Actions Today’, on the occasion of the Vietnam Urban Day 8/11, on 30 October 2012 in Hanoi Vision and prioritized action areas

Conference ‘Integrative Urban Development: Towards Green and Resilient Cities’ co-organized by MOC and GIZ on 24/25 October 2013 in Da Nang Vision and prioritized action areas

Workshop ‘Consultations on building the Development Orientation of the Vietnam Urban Forum’ on 30 September 2013 in Hanoi Vision and prioritized action areas

Capacity and potential (vi) Website of Vietnam Urban Forum (iii) Consultative workshops and seminars on relevant topics (ii) Regular large urban conferences bringing together stakekolders (i) The participation of more than 100 members from diverse groups (iv) Thematic focus groups (CoP‘s) on key urban issues (v) Networking with other national and international Forums FACILITATING – SHARING - TRANSFORMING

Capacity and potential Cities and Towns NGOs Ministries Profess. Assoc./ Academia Priv. Sector Bilateral Donors Multilateral Donors

FACILITATING – SHARING - TRANSFORMING Capacity and potential

FACILITATING – SHARING - TRANSFORMING Capacity and potential

Vietnam Urban Forum is linked to: Vietnamese networks/ support groups (AEF, VACI, CCWG...) National urban forums in Asia (Philippines, Bangladesh, India...) Regional forums (GMS, UNESCAP...) World Urban Forum (WUF) VACI CCWG

VUF representing Vietnam at the World Urban Forum every 2 years Capacity and potential

VUF Online Information Portal (Webpage) Capacity and potential

The Problem: Introduction to UCR-CoP Climate change poses major challenges for urban development in Vietnam Rapid, unplanned urbanization can increase cities’ vulnerability to climate change and cause extreme disasters - this is already occurring There are many technical challenges brought by climate change - how can we plan cities, infrastructure, and services that are flexible in the face of climate uncertainty? Climate change affects all city residents and sectors, so it requires new institutional capacities for coordination and management Climate change requires us to think about the future: how do we want our cities to be in 20 years? 50 years? What are our values for liveable, green, and equitable cities?

Knowledge Management is needed Introduction to UCR-CoP A vast body of knowledge from analytical studies / interventions needs to be compiled and made accessible!

Knowledge Management is needed Introduction to UCR-CoP A multitude of local interventions and different approaches need to be coordinated and the experiences and lessons learnt be shared and synthesized for replication/ upscaling!

How to learn from each other? Introduction to UCR-CoP Many actors in Vietnam are already thinking about these questions. These include: - Local government departments in many cities - National Ministries, including MoNRE, MoC and MARD - International Organizations and Agencies - National Associations - Non-government organizations and Mass Organizations How do we encourage learning, sharing, and deliberation between these diverse stakeholders?

The Urban Climate Resilience Community of Practice (UCR-CoP) Thematic platform formed in December 2011 under the purview of the Vietnam Urban Forum (VUF) Currently connects an informal network of about 40 national and international organizations as well as individual experts and practitioners that are involved in the issue of urban climate resilience in Vietnam CoP facilitated by ISET / NISTPASS (ACCCRN Program) Core group of UCR-CoP members ensures communication to group members and organizes meetings and annual planning for the thematic focus group Introduction to UCR-CoP

Key objectives of the UCR-CoP: Capacity Building: enable members access to information, training, current events and funding opportunities in urban climate change; Sharing Resources: sharing good practices, responding to questions, identifying useful resources and links, pointing to sources of data; Advocacy: provide a structure for members to develop common advocacy agendas on urban climate change resilience and build relationships between members for coordination, dialogue and advocacy in relation to climate change responses and participation in policy processes nationally and sub-nationally. > Visit UCR-CoP Blog Introduction to UCR-CoP

VUF member registration VUF has become the genuine national platform for information exchange and policy dialogue in the urban sector of Vietnam The Forum has a newly diversified member base, that brings together relevant national and international stakeholder groups As stakeholders in Vietnam join the Forum and actively contribute to its agenda, this will result in added value: - better access to quality information and shared knowledge/ experience - effective networking and enhanced cooperation opportunities - improved coordination and informed policy development and guidance - for better urban development and management capacities, and - more sustainable, competitive and inclusive cities in Vietnam Good reasons to engage in the Vietnam Urban Forum:

VUF member registration New simplified registration procedures: 1. Contact Office VUF to receive registration documents: Ms. Trần Lâm Hà - VUF Office Urban Development Agency - Ministry of Construction Fon: Fax: Mobile: Filing of registration form 3. Approval by VUF Executive Board