Held over two days on November 9th and 10th, the Vietnam-EU Economic and Trade Forum (VEF 2023), organized by the University of Economics, VNU in collaboration with Cracow University of Economics (Poland), the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, and the Association of Vietnamese Businesses in the EU, discussed many important economic issues. The focus was on green growth and sustainable development as key components of future development.

Marking the 33rd anniversary of the establishment and development of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the European Union (28/11/1990-28/11/2023), the Forum brought together policymakers, scholars, and businesspeople from Vietnam and the EU to exchange and discuss ways to promote trade and investment cooperation between the two regions.

The forum was attended by Associate Professor Dr. Phạm Bảo Sơn, Vice-Director from Vietnam National University, Hanoi; Ms. Nguyễn Thu Giang, Head of the European Department, Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations; Mr. Bartosz Cieleszynski, Advisor, Deputy Head of Trade at the EU Delegation to Vietnam; Ms. Claudia Anselmi, Vice-President of EuroCham Vietnam; Mr. Alexander Nowakowski, Second Secretary, Embassy of Poland; Professor Paweł Lula, Vice-Rector of Cracow University of Economics; Mr. Phạm Văn Hiến, Vice-President, Union of Vietnamese Business Associations in Europe; and participants from the University of Economics - VNU, including Associate Professor Dr. Nguyễn Trúc Lê, Party Secretary, Chairman of the University Council; Associate Professor Dr. Lê Trung Thành, Rector; Associate Professor Dr. Nguyễn Anh Thu, Vice-Rector, along with businesses, representatives from ministries, departments, development organizations, research institutes, associations, lecturers, researchers, and scientists from within and outside the country.

In his opening speech, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyễn Trúc Lê, Chairman of the University Council of the University of Economics - VNU, mentioned that for over 20 years, the EU has been a global leader in supporting, promoting, and applying sustainable development policy initiatives. "Vietnam is one of the countries significantly affected by climate change. The experiences of countries like the EU are invaluable to Vietnam's journey towards realizing its goals," said Associate Professor Dr. Nguyễn Trúc Lê.

In her welcome speech, Ms. Claudia Anselmi, Vice-President of EuroCham Vietnam, stated that the global context has significantly changed in recent years, mainly due to geopolitical and economic confrontations. Economic and strategic competition among major countries and conflicts are the main causes of instability, leading to global supply chain disruptions. "I hope the forum will find solutions to the difficult problems both sides are facing," she emphasized, highlighting the economic growth in Asia as an important driver in the economic relationship between Vietnam and the EU.

Mr. Bartosz Cieleszynski, Deputy Head of Trade at the EU Delegation to Vietnam, noted that the EU considers adapting to climate change as one of the three main focuses of its cooperation program with Vietnam for 2021-2027. Vietnam and the EU have also implemented many joint projects in fields like green transition, digital transition, circular economy, sharing economy, institutional building and workforce training, balanced energy transition, environmental protection, and climate change response. "I hope we will have more practical projects to strengthen cooperation in facing these challenges and promoting economic and sustainable development," he said.

The opening day featured three thematic discussion sessions and a plenary session. The thematic sessions focused on promoting Vietnam-EU economic relations; green economy policies and low-carbon economies in Vietnam and the EU; and ideas on student exchange programs, cultural diplomacy, cultural heritage conservation, scientific research cooperation, technology transfer, and innovation ecosystems, as well as language and cultural exchange programs between Vietnam and EU countries.

Foreign experts participating in in-depth discussions included Professor Dr. Joaquín Goyache Goñi, Rector of the Complutense University of Madrid (Spain); Professor Ewa Slezak-Belowska, Cracow University of Economics, Poland; Dr. Roland Pac, Civitas Collegium University, Poland; Professor Dr. Lee Keun-Jae, Pusan National University, South Korea; Mr. Florian Beranek, Executive Member, Central and Eastern European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam.

In the plenary session chaired by Associate Professor Dr. Nguyễn Anh Thu, Vice-Rector of the University of Economics - VNU, speakers discussed various aspects of the economic and trade relationship between Vietnam and the EU. According to experts, in terms of green economy policies, the EU considers adapting to climate change as one of the three main focuses of its cooperation program with Vietnam for 2021-2027. The relationship between Europe and Asia, and between Vietnam and the EU, is shaped by a range of economic, social, and environmental factors. The rise of globalization, sustainable development, and climate change response has played a significant role in shaping this relationship. As the world continues to change and new challenges emerge, Europe and Asia, in general, and Vietnam, in particular, will need to continue cooperating to face these challenges and promote economic and sustainable development.

Also, during the opening day, the organizing committee launched a book titled "Economic-Political Aspects of Euro-Asian Relations" edited by Associate Professor Dr. Nguyễn Trúc Lê, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyễn An Thịnh (University of Economics, VNU), Associate Professor Dr. Ewa Ślęzak-Belowska, and Associate Professor Dr. Marcin Salamaga (Cracow University of Economics, Poland), published by the prestigious international publisher Springer Singapore.

Continuing the success of the first day, the second day featured three parallel discussion sessions at the University of Economics - VNU, attracting a large number of lecturers and students studying economics both domestically and internationally. The sessions focused on topics like educational cooperation, culture, science and technology, innovation between Vietnam-EU; green economy policies and low-carbon economies in Vietnam and the EU; promoting Vietnam-EU economic relations. Speakers also discussed issues of concern to the scholarly community, researchers, policymakers, and businesses in Vietnam and the EU, such as bottlenecks to be cleared for Vietnam to receive and absorb green FDI from the EU, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises on both sides to connect to global value chains; solutions to help Vietnamese SMEs better utilize tax incentives from the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA)...

Over two days of work, the forum opened new research collaborations between universities and research agencies, businesses, development organizations, and state management agencies of Vietnam and the EU, aiming to address major issues in the sustainable socio-economic development of Vietnam and EU countries. Vietnam is one of the countries significantly impacted by climate change. The experiences of countries like the European Union (EU) are invaluable to Vietnam's journey towards achieving 'net zero' emissions by 2050.

The successful organization of the Vietnam-EU Economic and Trade Forum once again affirmed the capability of the University of Economics, VNU in connecting and organizing international-scale seminars, attracting many scientists, policymakers, businesses, and organizations from within and outside the country.

Some images from the forum:

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