The Vietnam-France Economic Forum 2023: Towards The Green and Sustainable Development

TUEsday - 25/07/2023 10:51

On July 7th, in Hanoi, the Vietnam-France Economic Forum 2023 was held under the theme "Towards The Green and Sustainable Development". The event was organized by the International Francophone Institute (VNU-IFI), the University of Economics and Business (VNU-UEB); the Institute for European Studies (IES), Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS), and the Vietnam-France Friendship and Cooperation Association.

*The Vietnam-France Economic Forum 2023: Towards The Green and Sustainable Development*

The forum was honored to welcome the presence of representatives from embassies, diplomatic agencies, and international organizations: Mr. Nicolas Warnery, Ambassador of the French Republic to Vietnam; Mr. Pierre Martin, Deputy Economic Counselor, French Embassy in Vietnam; Mr. Edgar Doerig, Head of the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF) in Asia-Pacific; Mrs. Sophie Mermaz, Head of French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hanoi, Vietnam (CCIFV); Mr. Alexandre de Navailles, Head of KEDGE Business School, French Republic (online), along with representatives from the Vietnam-France Friendship and Cooperation Association.

On the side of representatives from universities, governmental agencies, and businesses in Vietnam included Ambassador Nguyễn Phương Nga; Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations; Mr. Lê Công Thành, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment; Ms. Nguyễn Thị Thu Giang - Head of the European Department, Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations; Mr. Phan Thanh Bình, Former Chairman of the Committee for Culture, Education, Adolescents, and Children of the National Assembly, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam-France Friendship and Cooperation Association; Ambassador Nguyễn Thiệp, Former Vietnamese Ambassador to France, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam-France Friendship and Cooperation Association; Mr. Nguyễn Trung Hiển, Secretary-General of the Vietnam-France Friendship and Cooperation Association; Mr. Phạm Bảo Sơn, Deputy Director of Vietnam National University; Mr. Nguyễn Chiến Thắng, Director of the European Research Institute, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences; Mr. Nguyễn Trúc Lê, Chairman of the Council of VNU-UEB; Mr. Lê Trung Thành, Principal of VNU-UEB, VNU; Ms. Nguyễn Anh Thu, Vice Principal of VNU-UEB; Ms. Nguyễn Thị Bích Loan, Vice Principal of the University of Commerce.

On the IFI side, there is Mr. Phùng Danh Thắng, Director; Mr. Đào Tùng, the Director of the Office of Academic and Student Affairs, along with representatives of the unit.

The forum featured a keynote speech by Mr. Phạm Bảo Sơn, Vice Director of Vietnam National University, emphasizing the significance of the Vietnam-France Economic Forum 2023 in honoring the close relationship between the two countries. He stated that the forum served as a bridge for policymakers, businesses, and scholars to exchange ideas, propose comprehensive cooperation plans, and contribute to elevating the bilateral relations between Vietnam and France to new heights in various aspects such as economics, science, technology, culture, and education. He also highlighted the substantial contributions of Vietnam National University and its staff, many of whom have studied and worked in France, to the relationship between the two countries in various fields.

*Mr. Phạm Bảo Sơn, Deputy Director of Vietnam National University*

Following up, Mr. Nicolas Warnery, Ambassador of the French Republic to Vietnam emphasized the dynamic economic cooperation between Vietnam and France. He pointed out that bilateral trade between the two countries had nearly quintupled from 2010 to 2022, reaching 16 billion euros. Many large French companies, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises, have invested in Vietnam, while Vietnamese corporations like Vinfast and FPT have also invested in the French market. The Ambassador praised Vietnam's commitment to green growth with its goals of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, reducing carbon emissions, and increasing the proportion of electricity produced from renewable energy sources. He assured that France supports and is ready to assist Vietnam in its pursuit of sustainable development.

Mr. Lê Công Thành, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, shared his views on the transition from a linear to a circular, green, and digital economy, which is one of the urgent demands of humanity today. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State, with strategic vision and keen insight, have grasped this trend and are building the necessary legal framework to create a favorable environment and mobilize resources for green and sustainable development.

Mr. Nguyễn Trúc Lê, Chairman of the Council of the University of Economics and Business, Vietnam National University, stated that "The Vietnam-France Economic Forum 2023 is expected to be a platform for sharing valuable experiences of French experts and businesses on green and sustainable development, as well as the issues, opportunities, and challenges that Vietnam is facing. From there, it will further enhance understanding and foster relationships in various fields such as trade, investment, scientific and technological cooperation, culture, and education between France and Vietnam.

The Vietnam-France Economic Forum 2023 with the theme "Towards Green and Sustainable Development" consists of two main topics. The panel discussion features the participation of experts in the field of economics.

Mr. Pierre Martin, Deputy Economic Counselor at the French Embassy in Vietnam, will share insights on the challenges and prospects in the economic relationship between France and Vietnam.

*Mr. Pierre Martin, Deputy Economic Counselor, French Embassy in Vietnam*

Mr. Nguyễn Chiến Thắng, Director of the Institute of European Studies, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, will present on the topic "France's Green Growth Policy and Implications for Vietnam.

Mr. Alexandre de Navailles, Director General of KEDGE Business School (France), will discuss the opportunities for sustainable development and social responsibility in the higher education environment during the forum.

The second session featured a roundtable discussion with the participation of economic experts, researchers, policy planners, and representatives of French and Vietnamese businesses, including Mr. Pierre Martin, Deputy Economic Counselor, French Embassy in Vietnam; Mr. Dominique Laffly, Scientific and University Cooperation Counselor, French Embassy in Vietnam; Mr. Nguyễn Chiến Thắng, Director of the European Research Institute, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences; Ms. Nguyễn Thị Thu Trang, Director of the WTO and Integration Center - Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Thomas Honnet, Representative of the Vietnam-France Friendship Association, and several representatives of French businesses in Vietnam. During the discussion, the experts summarized significant developments in the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, proposing policies, plans, and potential projects that contribute to further enhancing the comprehensive and long-term cooperation between Vietnam and France.

Phiên thảo luận bàn tròn tại Diễn đàn

In the closing speech, Mr. Phùng Danh Thắng, Director of the International Francophone Institute (IFI) at Vietnam National University, expressed his gratitude to the speakers, experts, scholars, and media agencies that contributed to the forum. He emphasized that the event focused on in-depth research and analysis of important topics related to green growth. Since the idea of organizing the Vietnam-France Economic Forum 2023 was conceived, Vietnam National University has received active support from the European Research Institute, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, the Vietnam-France Friendship and Cooperation Association, and especially IFI, which has a tradition of organizing the Franconomics International Forum annually since 2019. Franconomics is an international forum held in October each year to create an international space for multidisciplinary dialogue on economic and social issues among scientists, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and policymakers within and beyond the French-speaking community. Mr. Phùng Danh Thắng hopes that the Vietnam-France Economic Forum 2023 will be an important milestone, opening up many opportunities for comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in the future.