The Green Economy Forum and Exhibition 2024 (GEFE 2024) is co-chaired and organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) to enhance connectivity, promote investment and trade cooperation between Europe and Vietnam. This is also a practical activity in the process of effectively implementing the National Growth Strategy for the period 2021 - 2030 that has been set out.

Attending the Program, on the Vietnamese side, it is expected that there will be: Government leaders, leaders of ministries and branches: Government Office, Foreign Affairs, Industry and Trade, Natural Resources and Environment, Planning and Investment; leaders of provinces and centrally run cities; associations, industries and Vietnamese enterprises.

On the EU side, there are expected to be: Mr. Margaritis Schinas, Vice President of the European Commission, Head of the European Union Delegation to Vietnam, Leaders of Ministries, branches, international organizations in EU countries, Ambassadors/Consuls General of some European countries in Vietnam, Leaders of EuroCham and EU businesses, experts, speakers, scientists from Europe.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade and EuroCham will co-host the Green Economy Forum and Exhibition 2024 (GEFE 2024).

According to Mr. Vu Ba Phu - Director of the Trade Promotion Agency (Ministry of Industry and Trade), Vietnam and the European Union established diplomatic relations in 1990. After more than 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the relationship between Vietnam and the EU has developed rapidly in both breadth and depth; firmly in the fields of politics, economics, trade, investment, development cooperation, as well as education, science and technology....

Bilateral trade turnover achieved impressive growth rates even during the crisis period, with trade in goods increasing more than four times and trade in services increasing more than two times; in the first 6 months of 2024, the EU was Vietnam's second largest export market (after the United States), a leading investor, present in all important economic sectors of Vietnam.

Regarding development cooperation, EU countries have provided Vietnam with many ODA aid packages, most of which are non-refundable aid, to carry out many important projects in healthcare, industry, agriculture, environmental protection, clean water supply, administrative reform support, poverty reduction, culture, education and training, etc.

Trade relations are considered an important premise to promote political cooperation and cooperation activities between the EU and Vietnam on the basis of mutual benefit. Before the signing of the EVFTA, Vietnam - EU relations were still on the rise, with two-way trade between Vietnam and the EU showing an increasing trend. As of August 2024, the EU is Vietnam's fourth largest trading partner, while Vietnam is the EU's largest trading partner in ASEAN.

Two-way trade between Vietnam and the EU continues to recover and grow strongly. According to statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs, in the first 6 months of 2024, exports from Vietnam to the EU reached 24.7 billion USD, up 15.3% over the same period last year. At the same time, Vietnam's imports from the EU in the first 6 months of 2024 reached 7.7 billion USD, up 8.5% over the same period in 2023.

After 4 years since the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) took effect (August 1, 2020 - August 1, 2024), the proportion of Vietnam's exports to the EU market has increased and Vietnam has become the country with the largest market share compared to other countries in the ASEAN region exporting to the EU. EVFTA helps many EU importers know more about Vietnamese suppliers. The tariff reduction incentives under EVFTA also significantly contribute to helping Vietnam improve its competitiveness and expand its market share in the EU; at the same time, it has access to high-quality goods from the EU.

Regarding investment cooperation, with a strong commitment to ensuring transparency, openness and convenience in the investment business environment, Vietnam has received high-quality investment from the EU with projects using advanced technology, creating common values ​​and benefits for the business communities of both sides.

In particular, the EVFTA has promoted and motivated EU investors to access and expand investment in Vietnam, contributing to the EU's position as the 6th largest FDI investor in Vietnam with 2,450 projects and a total investment capital of more than 28 billion euros. In the context of the global FDI trend, the EU still believes in Vietnam's potential and invested more than 800 million euros in Vietnam in 2023. The Netherlands, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Denmark, and Belgium are the 6 leading EU investors in Vietnam.

" With the completion of institutions and policies and making the most of opportunities from EVFTA and related regulations, Vietnam will continue to be a priority destination for potential investors from the EU. " - Mr. Vu Ba Phu expected.

At the same time, Mr. Vu Ba Phu also expressed his belief that the Green Economy Forum and Exhibition in 2024 will become a meaningful event and an important part in implementing sustainable development initiatives in accordance with the bilateral agreement between Vietnam and the EU, contributing to the implementation of Vietnam's National Strategy on Green Growth.

On EuroCham’s side, Mr. Bruno Jasspart, Chairman of EuroCham Vietnam, said that the passing of Storm No. 3 has shown the unpredictable consequences of climate change, and Vietnam is unfortunately one of the countries on the front line of such extreme events. The damage in the countries the storm passed through clearly shows the vulnerability of the world today. This clearly demonstrates the urgency of the Green Forum and Exhibition 2024.

" We need to continue to stand side by side with Vietnam, showing the way to combat climate change and be ready to respond to extreme weather events. The main focus of this year's event is to find opportunities for Vietnam on the path to green transformation. We want to ensure that European investors do not only invest and profit from the Vietnamese market, but also come here to contribute, share experiences, and raise awareness for the future generations of Vietnam so that they can solve the challenges ahead, " said Mr. Bruno Jaspaert.

Throughout the program, there will be about 30 conferences and workshops with 150 speakers, who will share specific information and expertise on technology and policy and regulatory issues related to sustainable development and green transformation.

10 topics in the discussion sessions and workshops related to issues of energy development policy, Power Plan VIII, DPPA, large-scale rooftop solar power development, carbon market, greenhouse gas reduction by enterprises, CBAM mechanism, green buildings and green building development; Responsibility of manufacturers in collecting and treating waste products... From there, there are recommendations to implement these topics...

Within the framework of the event, the Department of Trade Promotion, Ministry of Industry and Trade will organize the Vietnam Pavilion with the participation of 24 multi-industry enterprises of Vietnam to introduce and display advanced technologies, high-quality products, initiatives and models of green economy, circular economy, and sustainable production solutions of enterprises.

In addition, to support Vietnamese enterprises to directly access leading European corporations and enterprises in various fields, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will organize a Business-to-Business (B2B) Conference between Vietnamese and European enterprises.

This is considered a great opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the European and Vietnamese business communities, contributing to promoting a green and sustainable Vietnamese economy through sharing initiatives, ideas and technology transfer.