Chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, corresponded with NEAR Secretary-General on August 16, 2017to apply to join NEAR as an associate member.

The decision regarding the application will be made at the 11th NEAR Working Committee, which will be held on September 26 in Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, China. Once the application for associate membership has been confirmed, Ho Chi Minh City will enjoy all the rights of NEAR members, except for the right to elect executives, to vote, and to be elected.

The joining of HCMC as associate member presents a significant opportunity for NEAR to open the door to other Asian regions to increase exchange and cooperation while maintaining the identity of NEAR as the hub of Northeast Asia.

* Attachment: Letter from Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee (English)