The event, organized by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee in collaboration with the Osaka Business Partner City Council, was themed “Innovation and Sustainable Development: Driving Growth and International Cooperation Among BPC Cities.”
Attendees included Mr. Nguyen Loc Ha, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee; Ms. Moriyama Ayako, Director General of the Economic Strategy Bureau of the Osaka Municipal Government; Mr. Kenjiro Mori, Secretary General of the Osaka BPC Council; and representatives of diplomatic missions and trade promotion organizations.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Nguyen Loc Ha said innovation represented a new approach to urban governance, helping establish practical support mechanisms and connect resources for development.
The 2026 roundtable was intended not only as a forum for sharing experience but also as an opportunity to identify common challenges, explore potential areas of cooperation and develop actionable initiatives that deliver tangible benefits to businesses and residents, he said.
Ms. Moriyama Ayako said the meeting built on the 2025 BPC Joint Declaration on carbon emissions reduction and sustainable development. The focus was on translating commitments into concrete cooperation programs, particularly to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access international markets.
The conference featured three discussion sessions covering support for innovative startups and SMEs through international cooperation; sustainable industry, carbon emissions reduction and transit-oriented development (TOD); and turning commitments into action.
During the session on startup support, Osaka officials outlined business-matching activities through the BPC network, a Vietnam Circular Economy Seminar held in Osaka in July 2026, and the upcoming Tech Osaka Summit, scheduled for January 26-27, 2027.
At the second session, Mr. Ha Van Ut, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, presented the city's approach to sustainable industrial development and carbon emissions reduction.
He said the city was seeking to transform its industrial model through innovation, high technology, digital transformation, and smart manufacturing, while prioritizing investment in high-tech industries, supporting industries, and green manufacturing.
The roundtable also included bilateral meetings between Ho Chi Minh City and representatives of Melbourne, Manila, the Australian Industry Group, and Osaka to explore opportunities for cooperation.
Delegates were scheduled to visit the 2026 Vietnam Export Showcase at WTC Expo on the afternoon of October 23. An evening networking event was also planned to connect city representatives with businesses, including a delegation of companies from Osaka.
