The event was attended by leaders from the Hoi An City People’s Committee as well as members of the Hoi An Youth Union. The event was also participated in by representatives of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, German and Italian Embassies, and international projects in the area who provided significant contributions to the event.
The event aimed to encourage young people in Hoi An to use bicycles as a sustainable means of transport in urban areas, contributing to reducing air pollution and preserving Hoi An’s old quarter. During the event, young people were encouraged to play a proactive role in tackling climate change and set good examples of environmental protection for their families and community as a whole.
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Representatives of international organizations and local authorities participate in the cycling event |
“The Hoi An bike sharing scheme, supported by Germany through GIZ, is a good example of sustainable environmental-friendly transport and we are happy to promote it today. We believe this also makes a very good contribution to a more sustainable form of tourism in Hoi An. Besides reducing greenhouse gas emissions, cycling is also good for health and happiness," said Mr. Koen Duchateau, Head of Development and Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Vietnam.
In Hoi An, the increased number of motorized vehicles is posing a challenge to the management and preservation of Hoi An’s old quarter. Under the Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI) program that is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Hoi An People’s Committee in coordination with Heath Bridge Canada and GIZ Viet Nam, the city has taken concrete measures to tackle this issue. It has approved a plan on non-motorized transport development, piloted a bicycle-sharing system with 225 bicycles and 100 pedal-electric bikes. The city also has approved a pilot route with separate bicycle lanes between Hoi An and An Bang Beach.
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Local youths particiapte in the event |
“You shape the future of your beautiful city. Hoi An is a cultural jewel from the past, so you should make Hoi An a flagship city with your bikes for its sustainable future development! Cycle for your health, for the fresh air you are breathing and for the global climate,” said Dr. Sebastian Paust, the First Counsellor, Head of Development Cooperation, German Embassy in Vietnam”.
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Youths are riding bikes around Hoi An city to encourage people to ride bikes |
Vietnam is considered one of the five countries suffering the most severe consequences of climate change and related disasters. In accordance with its international commitments to respond to climate change and fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals, the European Union has been actively assisting Vietnam in mitigating consequences of climate change by supporting energy transition, and by adapting to climate change through co-funding several adaptation projects.
Through GIZ, the German Government has been supporting Vietnam in fulfilling its international commitments to the Paris Agreement on climate change. Germany is also supporting initiatives to mitigate and adapt to climate change at both central and local levels.
Reported by Khanh Hung and Hoang Linh