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GEF 2023 attracted over 700 attendees, highlighting the unified commitment of businesses, international organizations, government agencies, and the community to promoting Vietnam's green transformation.
Closing Plenary Session of GEF 2023
The event concluded with a plenary session featuring key speeches by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, European Union Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier, and EuroCham President Gabor Fluit.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the importance of the partnership between Vietnam and the European Group in promoting green initiatives. He praised the EU's commitment to a carbon-free future by 2050 and outlined Vietnam's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by the same year. The Prime Minister also highlighted Vietnam's renewable energy potential, calling for increased cooperation in trade and investment, particularly in areas such as renewable energy and digital transformation, so that both Vietnam and the EU can achieve mutual benefits.
Regarding the upcoming entry into force of the EU Green Deal regulations, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte highlighted the upcoming advantages for sustainable exporters and suppliers, and urged Vietnamese and Dutch manufacturers in Vietnam to take full advantage of these opportunities.
European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis emphasized the strong relationship between the EU and Vietnam. He praised the success of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, noting the significant growth in Vietnam's exports to the EU. Mr. Dombrovskis stressed the link between sustainable trade and a green future, and acknowledged the shared goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. He supported enhanced cooperation around the EU Green Deal and green technologies, urging Vietnam to uphold its commitments and support renewable energy for environmental and energy resilience.
EU Ambassador to Vietnam, Julien Guerrier, emphasized the shared vision between the EU and Vietnam for a green future. He praised Vietnam's leading position in clean energy in Southeast Asia, while highlighting the achievements of the European Green Deal and the importance of the circular economy.
In his speech, EuroCham President Gabor Fluit remarked: "EuroCham's commitment is growing stronger, especially as we celebrate our 25th anniversary. From day one, our mission has been to combine European expertise with Vietnamese dynamism to achieve shared goals. With the European Group's experience and depth in green transition and Vietnam's innovation, we have supported technology transfer, knowledge sharing, high-quality human resource development, and cutting-edge green initiatives. We work closely with the government in the green transition, and moreover, we are also working closely with the Vietnamese business community, particularly in key sectors such as textiles, footwear, and seafood, to bring green technology and support them in their green transition. And we are confident that this is just the beginning of that collaborative journey."
The event also featured speakers representing various ministries and departments of Vietnam, including:
- Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan
- Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc
- Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai
In the plenary session, business leaders gathered to share insights on the green transition, integrating global perspectives with Vietnam's sustainable development journey. The discussion, moderated by EuroCham Advisory Board Chairman Alain Cany, featured the following speakers:
- Mr. Stuart Livesey, Managing Director of Copenhagen Offshore Partners (COP) Vietnam
- Ms. Sunita Lukkhoo, Group Director of the European Investment Bank (EIB) for Southeast Asia and the Pacific
- Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Thanh, Chairwoman of Refrigeration and Electrical Engineering Corporation (REE)
- Mr. Olivier Rousselet, CEO of BNP Paribas Vietnam
- Ms. Carolyn Turk, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam
To further strengthen its relationship with the Vietnamese business community, EuroCham has exchanged memoranda of understanding with several industry associations, including:
The Vietnam Leather and Footwear Association (LEFASO) focuses on building capacity towards compliance with the European Green Deal regulations. The Vietnam Textile and Garment Association (VITAS) promotes Vietnam's green transition. The Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE) co-organizes the Green Economy Forum & Exhibition (GEFE) 2024.
GEF 2023 Workshop Sessions
Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in a forum comprising 12 conference sessions, addressing topics such as renewable energy, green finance, emissions reduction, and sustainable agriculture. Over 80 experts from various fields chaired these discussions, including:
- International corporations such as Airbus, BlueScope, CIP, DeHeus, EDP Renewables, and Equinor.
- Global organizations such as the European Investment Bank (EIB), GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the World Bank.
- Vietnamese leaders, along with experts from universities such as the Foreign Trade University, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics, and the Vietnam National University; organizations such as the Vietnam Green Building Council; and business leaders from Dragon Capital, Vietnam Airlines, and VinaCapital, were present.
GEF 2023, held just one month before the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), was designed to foster cooperation between Europe and Vietnam, as well as to shape Vietnam's sustainability discourse in line with its climate commitments.
Building on the success of GEF 2023, EuroCham is proud to announce the return of the Green Economy Forum and Exhibition (GEFE) from October 30 to November 1, 2024, taking place in Southern Vietnam. The forum is a continuation of the successful GEFE held in November 2022.
