[Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – 21 October 2024] The Green Economy Forum & Exhibition (GEFE) 2024 officially opened today, uniting global leaders, business executives, policymakers, and sustainability advocates in a joint effort toward building a greener and more sustainable future. This landmark event, hosted by EuroCham Vietnam in collaboration with The Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, is expected to attract over 8,000 participants across its three-day agenda filled with high-level dialogues, exhibitions, and B2B networking opportunities.
A Grand Opening with Distinguished Participation
This morning, distinguished VVIPs from the European Union and the Vietnamese Government joined the stage to officially opens GEFE 2024:
- From Europe, GEFE was honoured to welcome: EU Commission Vice President H.E. Mr. Margaritis Schinas, Minister of Foreign Trade & Development of Finland H.E. Mr. Ville Tavio, Vice Minister at Ministry of Energy of Lithuania Mrs. Inga Žilienė, Deputy Trade Commissioner for Southeast Asia Mrs. Rhiannon Harries, Global Deputy Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) H.E. Mr. Yuko Yasunaga, EU Ambassador to ASEAN H.E. Mr. Sujiro Seam, and EU Ambassador to Vietnam H.E. Mr. Julien Guerrier.
- From Vietnam, GEFE proudly welcomed: Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Bui Thanh Son, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Mr. Phan Van Mai, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Mrs. Phan Thi Thang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Ha Kim Ngoc, alongside leaders and high-level representatives from various Ministries, provinces, and major Vietnamese businesses and corporations.
The opening ceremony of GEFE 2024 was marked by a keynote address from Mr. Alain Cany, EuroCham Vietnam’s Advisory Board Chairman and Co-Chair of the GEFE 2024 Organising Committee. Distinguished VVIPs participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony, officially inaugurating the exhibition space of over 3,200 square metres. They then embarked on a high-level tour, exploring key pavilions showcasing the latest green products and technologies from Europe and Vietnam.
The plenary panel session that followed brought together top business leaders from Europe, Vietnam, and other regions to share best practices for green innovation and sustainable development. These discussions highlighted the importance of policy alignment, public-private collaboration, and investment opportunities in driving Vietnam’s green transition.
An Ambitious Agenda: Global Collaboration for Sustainable Growth
GEFE 2024 is more than just a forum—it is a platform designed to connect policy, business, and technology. With over 200 exhibitors, including 13 country pavilions, the exhibition offers attendees free access to explore cutting-edge green technologies and initiatives.
The exhibition hall, open until 23 October, invites the public to discover innovative solutions in renewable energy, sustainable construction, green finance, and carbon markets. Special side events include Student Day on 23 October, where 2,000 students from over 10 universities and youth organisations will engage in activities such as the GEFE Symposium, Career Café Talk, Education Fair and Job Fair, to inspire the next generation of sustainability leaders.
Bruno Jaspaert, Chairman of EuroCham Vietnam, expressed his strong enthusiasm for the forum:
“GEFE 2024 reflects the joint ambition of Vietnam and the EU to advance sustainable development. The participation of high-level officials, industry experts, and business leaders demonstrates that we are all committed to turning words into action, ensuring that together we build greener futures.”
In her opening speech, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang shared that Vietnam’s total import-export turnover from the beginning of the year to September 2024 reached 578.47 billion USD, an increase of 16.3% compared to the same period last year. The trade balance achieved a surplus of 20.79 billion USD, with exports to the EU alone reaching 38.1 billion USD, up 17%. “This reflects the increasing potential for effective and high-quality growth between Vietnam and the EU,” she underscored. The Deputy Minister also encouraged Vietnamese and EU businesses to continue expanding cooperation in investment, trade, and technology transfer, with a focus on green growth and alignment with new global standards at the Green Economy Forum & Exhibition 2024.
A Strategic EU-Vietnam Partnership
GEFE 2024 takes place amid growing economic ties between Vietnam and the EU, bolstered by the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). This agreement has already made the EU one of Vietnam’s top trade partners, fostering increased bilateral trade and green investment. With the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) still under negotiation, there is tremendous potential to attract more European investments focused on sustainable projects.
EU Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas reinforced this message in his opening remarks that the EU sees Vietnam not only as a key trade partner but also as a vital player in advancing their broader strategy for a comprehensive EU-ASEAN partnership. “Vietnam is a prime example of strategic partnership,” he stressed, and green growth is at the heart of our collaboration, and events like GEFE 2024 are crucial in transforming our shared goals into reality. He concluded with a Vietnamese proverb, “cái khó ló cái khôn”, which roughly translates to “adversity births creativity.” “The time is now. This period of transition to a greener future is full of challenges, but these are when we can make the big differences for future generations,” Vice President Schinas said.
Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to balancing economic growth with environmental protection, emphasising that “the EU has become a key partner in this journey.” He noted that through platforms like GEFE, both sides are strengthening collaboration and unlocking new opportunities for green investments.
The Deputy Prime Minister also highly regarded this year’s theme, “Building Green Futures” and recognised the forum’s evolution: “Now in its third year, GEFE has become one of Vietnam’s most significant and prestigious annual events—a model for public-private cooperation in fostering sustainable green growth.”
Climate Action Takes Centre Stage
As Typhoon Yagi recently reminded the region of the urgent need to combat climate change, the importance of platforms like GEFE cannot be overstated. Climate-related disasters have shown that sustainable development is not an option but an imperative. The Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), which also features prominently in the discussions at GEFE, serves as a prime example of how nations can work together to accelerate the shift to cleaner energy sources while ensuring economic resilience.
Throughout GEFE 2024, over 150 expert speakers will contribute to 30+ conference sessions focusing on pressing green themes, including energy policy development, Vietnam’s Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8), carbon markets, and circular economy initiatives. These sessions provide actionable insights for businesses and policymakers, equipping them to make informed decisions that align with global sustainability goals.
A Platform for Sustainable Partnerships
One of the defining features of GEFE is its ability to foster meaningful connections. The forum offers unique networking opportunities with 1,500+ CEOs and global decision-makers, helping businesses explore partnerships that advance green innovation. The event highlights how both public and private sectors can collaborate to unlock the potential of sustainable investments in Vietnam.
Reflecting on the importance of such partnerships, EU Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Julien Guerrier remarked that GEFE exemplifies the power of public-private cooperation, in which trade and climate action can reinforce one another. He emphasised that Vietnam is not only a key partner for Europe but also a cornerstone of the EU-ASEAN partnership, and that platforms like GEFE unlock new opportunities to accelerate green investments and build a sustainable future together.
“The organisation of GEFE by Eurocham Vietnam and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the strong presence today of EU and Vietnamese business operators underline the determination of EU companies to invest in Vietnam and to do it in a sustainable way, bringing in state-of-the-art green technologies to this country. The exhibition illustrates what can be achieved in Vietnam by EU investors.
“GEFE is an opportunity for direct engagement between EU and Vietnamese stakeholders but also with decision-makers. I encourage all of you in the 3 days ahead to multiply contacts, get inspiration from the discussions, from exchanges of good practices, and from the exhibition of innovative products and services.” – Ambassador Guerrier concluded.
Join the Green Movement at GEFE 2024
Over the next two days, GEFE 2024 is set to offer an engaging experience for all attendees—from industry professionals to the general public. The exhibition hall remains free of charge, inviting visitors to discover the latest green technologies and solutions that are shaping the future. Conference sessions will also continue until 23 October, covering topics such as green finance, renewable energy, and carbon trading.
GEFE 2024 is a unique opportunity to explore the intersections of innovation, policy, and sustainability, fostering collaboration between Europe, Vietnam, and ASEAN. Together, these efforts lay the foundation for a greener future, where economic growth and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.
Join us at Green Economy Forum and Exhibition – GEFE 2024 as we work together to Build Green Futures for Vietnam and beyond.
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About EuroCham Vietnam
Founded in 1998, the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) has established itself as the unified voice of the European business community in Vietnam. With offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, we represent a diverse spectrum of companies, ranging from small and medium-sized enterprises to multinational corporations. EuroCham plays a crucial role in shaping policy dialogues, fostering bilateral trade and investment, and fortifying economic ties between Europe and Vietnam, particularly within the framework of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
EuroCham Vietnam boasts a substantial membership base comprising over 1,400 companies, solidifying its position as one of the largest foreign chambers operating in Vietnam. We function as the “chamber of chambers,” encompassing nine prominent national European business associations in Vietnam, which include:
- Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (Beluxcham)
- Central and Eastern European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (CEEC)
- Chamber of Commerce and Industry Portugal-Vietnam (CCIPV)
- Dutch Business Association Vietnam (DBAV)
- French Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vietnam (CCIFV)
- German Business Association (GBA)
- Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (ICHAM)
- Nordic Chamber of Commerce Vietnam (Nordcham)
- Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (SCCV)
EuroCham’s diversified influence is underpinned by our extensive network of 20 specialised Sector Committees. Serving as think tanks within their respective industries, these committees provide invaluable expertise, steer policy recommendations, and stimulate industry-specific dialogues. This organisational framework guarantees that the concerns and viewpoints of diverse sectors are actively considered, thereby moulding EuroCham’s cross-sectoral agenda and magnifying its overall influence.
For more information, please visit: www.eurochamvn.org.
For any media enquiries, please contact: EuroCham Vietnam, Media & Communications Officer – Ms. Tram Hoang via tram.hoang@eurochamvn.org.
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