Chairman Nguyen Van Phuong receiving and working with H.E. Shawn Steil, the Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam.

At the reception, Mr. Shawn Steil, Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam, said that in recent times, Canada has made positive contributions to the development of Thua Thien Hue in the fields of culture, education and training, gender equality, climate change tackling, environment protection, and heritage preservation.

Ambassador Shawn Steil expressed his deep sympathy to the people of Thua Thien Hue who have just experienced flooding, and at the same time, informed that the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) has just approved a relief project for people in Thua Thien Hue affected by recent floods. The program will be implemented by the Center for Rural Development, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University.

According to Ambassador Shawn Steil, in addition to ongoing projects, the Canadian Government has committed to sponsoring the implementation of the project "Smart Coastal Communities Adapting to Climate Change in Vietnam" with the aim of strengthening the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities, restoring marine and coastal biodiversity, improving livelihoods and reducing poverty through ecosystem restoration, etc. Therefore, Ambassador Shawn Steil hopes that the provincial leaders will pay attention and support the project approval in the coming time.

 Chairman Nguyen Van Phuong presenting a souvenir to Mr. Shawn Steil, Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam after the meeting.

Chairman Nguyen Van Phuong welcomed Mr. Shawn Steil, Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam, and his colleagues on the official visit to Thua Thien Hue. The Chairman also thanked the Canadian Government for its support to localities of the province through projects and programs, especially the emergency support for the people of Thua Thien Hue who have suffered from flooding in recent times.

In order to promote the cooperative relationship between Thua Thien Hue and Canada in the coming time, Chairman Nguyen Van Phuong hopes that Ambassador Shawn Steil will continue to pay attention and promote Canadian businesses to invest in the province; connecting tours to bring Canadian tourists to Hue; strengthen the exchange of traditional culture and art between the two countries, and promote the export of products which the province has strengths.

In addition, Chairman Nguyen van Phuong desired to receive support and call on the Canadian Government to organize cooperation programs and professional support in the fields of heritage conservation and restoration, scientific research, archeology, museums, displays, organizing specialized seminars and service activities to promote heritage values; at the same time, create conditions for organizing cultural exchange cooperation programs, especially introducing Canadian artist groups to participate in Hue Festivals so that the public has the opportunity to interact and learn about Canadian culture and art.

By LE THO