A workshop to promote cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Osakacity of Japan in managing solid waste took place in Ho Chi MinhCity on Feb. 16.

The workshop was jointly heldby the city’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment, GlobalEnvironment Centre Foundation (GEC) and Osaka Water and EnvironmentSolutions Association (OWESA) of Japan .

Theworkshop aims to provide the two cities with a chance to shareexperiences in managing solid waste, as well as find cooperativeopportunities in this field.

According to ShinsakuAzuma, General Director of Osaka Environment Bureau, the workshop ispart of a cooperative programme signed by the two cities in July lastyear.

A number of issues relating to solid wasteworks were discussed at the workshop, such as challenges and policies ofHo Chi Minh City on urban solid waste management; experiences andpolicies of Osaka city in solid waste management; and temporarysolutions for solid waste treatment in Ho Chi Minh City .

The workshop also heard Japanese experts’ reports on advancedtechnologies for solid and liquid waste treatment and medical wastetreatment.

At present, over 6,700 tonnes ofurban solid waste are required to be treated every day. Of that figure,1,500-2,000 tonnes of industrial and harmful waste were treated andrecycled with outmoded technologies.

Thecooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Osaka is very significantfor both, especially while Ho Chi Minh City needs to enhancemanagement experience and consultancies on new technologies in order tosolve waste issues.

Participants also madefact-finding tours to sanitary landfills, medical waste incinerators andindustrial parks in the city./.