Hanoi (VNA) – The European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham Vietnam), together with the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE), Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organise the Green Economy Forum & Exhibition (GEFE) 2024 in Ho Chi Minh City from October 21 to 23.
The event comes at a crucial time as Vietnam faces the immediate and severe impacts of climate change, exemplified by the recent devastation of super typhoon Yagi, which has left over 350 people dead or missing.
At the press conference announcing the GEFE 2024 in Hanoi on September 24, new Chairman of EuroCham Vietnam Bruno Jaspaert said: “The storm displaced countless families and caused widespread destruction across 26 provinces, serving as a stark reminder that climate change is no longer a distant threat but an urgent crisis requiring immediate, collective action.”
He added that GEFE 2024 will be a vital platform for fostering critical dialogue between government leaders, businesses, and international organisations to address the pressing realities of the changing climate. “GEFE will also act as a platform for European companies to showcase their latest cutting-edge solutions to make Vietnam future proof.”
Vu Ba Phu, Director General of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE), Ministry of Industry and Trade, emphasised that the Prime Minister has agreed for the Ministry of Industry and Trade and EuroCham to co-ogarnise the GEFE 2024 to strengthen connections, promote investment and trade cooperation between Europe and Vietnam.
“This is also a practical initiative in the implementation process of the National Green Growth Strategy for the period of 2021 – 2030,” Phu said.
In his remarks, Julien Guerrier, Ambassador of the EU to Vietnam, stated that GEFE is becoming an annual important and key event with a regional scope and ASEAN dimension.
“I am very much lookingtowards the GEFE in October 2024. The EU-Vietnam partnership holds a wealthof opportunities for businesses on both sides. I reaffirm it: we stand ready to support Vietnamin this period of transition to a greenerfuture - Vietnam has great potential to achieve it,” the ambassador said.
At GEFE 2024, discussions will focus on critical themes driving meaningful solutions toward a sustainable future: climate resilience, digitalisation, green finance, and sustainable energy transitions, to name a few, all are key to Vietnam’s goal of achieving Net-Zero by 2050, as pledged at COP26.
With the theme of “Building Green Futures”, GEFE 2024 will highlight the urgent need for action in tackling the climate crisis and building a greener economy in Vietnam.
Over the course of three days, the event will feature 10 green topics and nearly 30 conference sessions, including business-to-business and business-to-government dialogues. With more than 8,000 attendees expected from diverse sectors, participants will have the opportunity to engage with industry leaders and government officials in discussions about green economy development./.
