Hanoi (VNA) - The 4th Partnership for Green Growth and the 2030 Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit concluded successfully under the theme “Sustainable and People-Centered Green Transition.”
The summit adopted two key documents: The Hanoi Declaration on sustainable and people-centered green transition, and the P4G Declaration on strengthening cooperation with international organisations and mechanisms on green growth.
Insightful discussions took place throughout the summit, with participants sharing valuable lessons, inspiring success stories, and putting forward numerous initiatives to advance green development.
Joining hands for a green future
According to Danish Ambassador to Vietnam Nicolai Prytz, this year’s summit theme is highly important because it recognises that a successful green transition demands a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach. It is in tone with P4G’s objective that places people at the centre of change and implies that there is a strong connection between the green transition and climate change.
According to the latest International Panel on Climate Change reports, action must be taken right now to prevent climate change from having irreversible consequences on the world and its inhabitants, he stated.
At the national level, the consequences of climate change are already evident, also in Vietnam. The impacts of Typhoon Yagi in 2024 caused widespread destruction in the entire country. According to the World Bank, Vietnam is among the most vulnerable countries to climate change. Typhoons, floods, droughts, and landslides often threaten livelihoods, especially in rural Vietnam. The country also struggles with environmental issues. For example, Hanoi is ranked as one of the world’s most air polluted cities in 2025.
Tackling global challenges requires more than business as usual. Achieving sustainable development depends on fostering innovation through collective action, he said.
Governments must set ambitious frameworks, businesses should invest in green solutions, and young people and start-ups need to drive fresh ideas, he suggested.
Public-private partnerships play a crucial role, combining the private sector’s resources, innovation, and scalability with the public sector’s regulatory support and funding to address complex challenges more effectively, the ambassador noted.
His view was echoed by Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Kees van Baar who said that what sets P4G apart from other climate initiatives is its focus on public-private partnerships and international cooperation.
By leveraging P4G’s partnership-driven model, countries like Vietnam can steer away from carbon-intensive development phases, he added.
The diplomat affirmed that the Netherlands is ready to deepen cooperation with Vietnam through the P4G framework, offering the right tools and resources and improving access to finance and sharing experience and expertise. He committed to strengthening ties between Vietnamese and Dutch businesses, many of which have been pioneers in implementing sustainable solutions in areas such as water management, agriculture, and the circular economy.
Investing in human capital for a green future
The theme for the P4G Summit “Sustainable and People-Centered Green Transition” put forward by Vietnam has received strong support and broad consensus from delegates.
Ambassador Kees van Baar praised the people-centred approach, noting that while the phrase may sound simple, it challenges people to reflect more deeply on fairness, justice, and inclusive development—issues that Europe, too, continues to grapple with.
The diplomat said he believes the theme invites all to consider that our climate ambitions will only truly succeed if they elevate human dignity alongside the health of our planet.
Speaking at the summit, Ramla Khalidi, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Vietnam, emphasised that a green workforce is fundamental to achieving climate goals. However, she noted that the green transition poses significant capacity challenges, requiring the development of education models that are flexible, up-to-date, and highly innovative.
The UNDP acknowledged that Vietnam has launched several pioneering initiatives aimed at sustainable development, particularly in areas such as green vocational training, digital skills promotion, and fostering adaptive thinking among youth.
Meanwhile, UNESCO Representative to Vietnam Jonathan Wallace Baker stressed that human capital plays a central role in driving global green growth.
The organisation is calling for building a global green workforce training system, focusing on developing green skills, digital competencies, and innovation capacity, alongside a breakthrough mindset for an adaptive workforce.
Looking ahead to 2030, UNESCO will continue to advance education for sustainable development, integrating environmental protection and climate adaptation into both formal and informal education systems, he stated./.
