New Ho Chi Minh City chairman pledges to tackle traffic congestion, flooding

Detailed summary

Ho Chi Minh City's new chairman Le Quoc Phong has pledged to focus on tackling traffic congestion, flooding, and environmental pollution while improving residents' quality of life.

In his six-minute speech after being elected chairman of the HCMC People's Committee on Thursday morning, Phong identified addressing four major issues assigned by General Secretary and State President To Lam as key priorities: traffic congestion, flooding, environmental pollution, and building a drug-free city.

The new chairman stated he would focus on implementing the city's master plan through 2050, with a 100-year vision.

This includes developing a green, clean, and attractive urban environment, alongside improving cultural, educational, and healthcare services to elevate the overall quality of life for residents.

"These are the tasks on which the HCMC People's Committee chairman will devote his time and efforts to finding effective solutions, ensuring swift implementation, and achieving positive results," he said.

New Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Chairman Le Quoc Phong. Photo courtesy of HCMC People's Council

Phong replaces Nguyen Van Duoc after receiving unanimous support from all 112 delegates present at the meeting.

The 48-year-old previously served as first secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and secretary of the Dong Thap Provincial Party Committee. Before his election as city chairman, he was the standing deputy secretary of the HCMC's Party Committee.

Phong highlighted several advantages driving the city's development. These include preferential mechanisms and policies, a competitive workforce, and the dynamic, innovative traditions of the localities recently merged to form the expanded municipality, specifically the former Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces.

The results achieved in the first year of the current term provide a foundation for the municipal administration to continue its work.

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