WTA 2018 closes in Binh Duong

Speaking at the opening ceremony, WTA chairman Her Tae Jeong congratulated Binh Duong province on becoming the newest WTA member in this August, adding that WTA 2018 was a special event, celebrating the 20th anniversary since WTA’s establishment, setting a new vision for the organisation in the next decade.

“This event will also set up a global framework for technology exchange and cooperation among WTA members," said Jeong.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam's opening speech at WTA 2018. Photo: Le Toan

With the theme of "Smart Cities—The Dynamics of Innovation for Sustainable Development," Jeong said that cities are currently at a great turning point to face major tasks, such as environment protection and smart city development. WTA is a forum for members to discuss and exchange views on turning cities into smart cities.

“This conference will provide directions for members to come up with plans for the near future,” he added.

According to Tran Thanh Liem, Chairman of the Binh Duong People's Committee, the selection to host this event right after becoming an official member of the WTA has confirmed the international status of Binh Duong.

"Being a member of WTA will create significant opportunities for Binh Duong to increase international cooperation, promote its brand, and attract foreign investment," Liem said, adding that this will be the foundation for Binh Duong to promote human resources exchanges with scientific cities around the world and enhance its management capacity. It also improves scientific-technical levels, transfers advanced technologies, and shares development strategies to help Binh Duong improve its socioeconomic development and to become a smart city.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam and delegates visiting Binh Duong New City. Photo: Le Toan

DPM Dam in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of WTA has emphasised the significance of the event not only for WTA bur for Vietnam as well.

According to him, advanced science has brought humanity into a new development stage with both opportunities and challenges.

In the Fourth Industrial Revolution, according to DPM Dam, it is important to focus on the connection between the devices, the person and the device, and between people, organisations, individuals, businesses, and nations.

"I strongly believe that with its mission, the WTA also has new opportunities to make more important contribution to the development of nations, economies, and the development of civilisation in general,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam and delegates visiting the booth at the Hi-Tech Fair. Photo: Le Toan

“An economy and a smart city are always associated with new technologies, but far beyond technology, the ultimate goal is that humanity must be at the centre of development. We have to make it so that the entire society from ordinary people, scientists, children, and the elderly can participate and benefit from the development,” he emphasied.

One of the key issues in building smart cities in Vietnam, according to DPM Dam, is to build a database connecting the government with enterprises, scientists, and the community. This data needs to be systematised and, most importantly, shared and transparent so that it can be efficiently exploited.

DPM Dam also said that in general, Vietnam is on track in deploying Industry 4.0 and building smart cities. The economy and the growth rate of Vietnam are developing stably and this is expected to be maintained in the future.

“However, Vietnam is aware that there are still many difficulties ahead, especially in terms of technology and high-quality human resources. Therefore, international events, such as the WTA, will help Vietnam in the process of integration and sustainable development,” he said.

WTA saw the participation of a great number of international delegates. Photo: Le Toan