[Ha Noi, 24 September 2024] – 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 at THISO SkyHall in Ho Chi Minh City from October 21 to 23.
Urgency Amidst Devastation: Why GEFE 2024 Matters
As Vietnam faces the immediate and severe impacts of climate change, exemplified by the devastation of Super Typhoon Yagi—the strongest storm to strike the country in three decades—GEFE 2024 arrives at a crucial moment. At the Press Conference announcing GEFE 2024, co-chaired by EuroCham Vietnam and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Mr. Bruno Jaspaert, new Chairman of EuroCham Vietnam, noted: “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. GEFE 2024 will be a vital platform for fostering critical dialogue between government leaders, businesses, and international organisations to address the pressing realities of our changing climate. GEFE will also act as a platform for European companies to showcase their latest cutting edge solutions to make Vietnam future proof.”
Mr. Vu Ba Phu, Director General of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE), Ministry of Industry and Trade, also emphasised: “The Prime Minister has approved for the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam to co-ogarnise the Green Economy Forum and Exhibition 2024, to strengthen connections, promote investment and trade cooperation between Europe and Vietnam. This is also a practical initiative in the implementation process towards the National Growth Strategy proposed for the period of 2021 – 2030.”
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.
Building on Past Successes
Following the resounding success of GEFE 2022, where Vietnamese Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Pham Minh Chinh together with 4 ministers and EU Commissioner H.E. Mr. Virginijus Sinkevicius attended and the impactful GEF 2023, which saw the return of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh alongside EU Executive Vice-President H.E. Mr. Valdis Dombrovskis and Dutch Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Mark Rutte, GEFE 2024 is set to build on this momentum.
As emphasised by Mr. Alain Cany, Co-Chair of the GEFE Organising Committee and EuroCham Vietnam Advisory Board Chairman, “these events not only fostered critical discussions but also established a collaborative spirit essential for addressing the climate crisis. As a vital platform for Europe-Vietnam cooperation, GEFE 2024 is poised to deliver even greater insights and actionable solutions.”
Timely Discussions on Sustainability: Building Green Futures
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, GEFE 2024 will feature 10 green topics and deliver nearly 30 conference sessions. With more than 8,000 attendees expected from diverse sectors, including B2B and B2G dialogues, participants will have the opportunity to engage with industry leaders and government officials.
The plenary session on 21 October will bring together high-level public and private sector leaders, anticipated guests include Vietnamese Prime Minister H.E. Mr Pham Minh Chinh, H.E. Mr. Péter Szijjártó – Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, H.E. Mr. Ville Tapani Tavio – Finnish Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Ms. Rhiannon Harries – UK Deputy Trade Commissioner for Southeast Asia, British High Commission, Singapore, H.E. Mr. Phan Van Mai – Chairman of HCMC’s People’s Committee, Mr. Vu Ba Phu – Director General of VIETRADE, H.E. Mr. Sujiro Seam – the EU Ambassador to ASEAN, and H.E. Mr. Julien Guerrier – the Ambassador of EU to Vietnam.
With the active participation of EU member states, alongside key contributions from Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, GEFE 2024 will stand as a testament to the strong Vietnam–Team Europe partnership, driving our collective progress towards a greener, Net-Zero future. The involvement of Team Europe’s high-level representatives will enrich the dialogue with global perspectives and actionable insights, reinforcing the crucial role of the international community—particularly Europe—in supporting Vietnam’s green transition.
H.E. Mr. Julien Guerrier, Ambassador of the EU to Vietnam, stated in his remarks: “GEFE is becoming an annual important and key event with a regional scope and ASEAN dimension. In that respect, I am glad to confirm that on top of many EU Member States Ambassadors’ presence, I will be honoured to be accompanied by the EU Ambassador to ASEAN, H.E. Surijo Seam, and representatives of EuroChams in the region. I am very much looking towards the GEFE in October 2024. The EU-Vietnam partnership holds a wealth of opportunities for businesses on both sides. I reaffirm it: We stand ready to support Vietnam in this period of transition to a greener future – Vietnam has a great potential to achieve it.”
This year’s plenary and conference sessions will focus on accelerating the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), integrating sustainable energy solutions through Power Development Plan 8 (PDP8), and the implementation of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Additional topics such as the Direct Power Purchase Agreements (DPPA), carbon pricing, climate and transition finance, regenerative farming systems, blue-green infrastructure (BGI) and innovative stormwater management will bring actionable insights from both public and private sector leaders.
The highlights of each day include:
A detailed agenda for the event can be found HERE.
Cutting-Edge Innovations at GEFE 2024 Exhibition
The GEFE 2024 exhibition (free of charge) will showcase cutting-edge green technologies and solutions from both European and Vietnamese businesses. With 13 country pavilions, attendees will have the opportunity to explore pioneering innovations in renewable energy, sustainable manufacturing, and climate-smart technologies. In addition, start-ups will exhibit their creative solutions, highlighting the next generation of innovators driving Vietnam’s green transition. The exhibition will not only be a space for showcasing technology but also for forging partnerships that could lead to transformative changes in the green economy.
Building the Next Generation of Green Leaders
GEFE 2024 also serves as a platform to cultivate future champions of sustainability. At the Student Day, on 23 October, young leaders will take part in a Business Challenge to tackle real-world environmental issues. The winning team will receive the prestigious Future Sustainability Leaders Award, which includes a fully-funded opportunity to attend the Summer School at Kühne Logistics University (KLU) in Germany. This initiative underscores EuroCham’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of sustainability leaders who will carry forward the green transition in Vietnam.
Networking, B2B Matchmaking, and Business Opportunities
In addition to the conferences and exhibition, GEFE 2024 offers unique opportunities for networking and B2B matchmaking. Companies will benefit from cost-effective participation, connecting with like-minded businesses through pre-selected match-making sessions tailored to their objectives. This ensures meaningful, actionable engagements that can lead to long-term collaborations and business growth.
A Vital Platform for EU-Vietnam Cooperation
With the active participation of European and Vietnamese leaders, GEFE 2024 underscores the importance of EU-Vietnam partnerships in advancing sustainability goals. The EU has been a pivotal partner in Vietnam’s journey towards a green economy, and this event provides an opportunity to strengthen these ties and explore new avenues for collaboration in green finance, energy transitions, and the circular economy.
Join us at Green Economy Forum and Exhibition – GEFE 2024 as we work together to Build Green Futures for Vietnam and beyond.
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.
