Green transformation and digital transformation are two fundamental factors that constitute an inevitable, irreversible trend.

On the afternoon of November 26, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Autumn Economic Forum 2025 continued with the dialogue session “60 minutes with the Prime Minister of Vietnam”. Also attending was Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the "60 minutes with the Prime Minister of Vietnam" dialogue session. (Photo: THANH GIANG)

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a dialogue with World Economic Forum (WEF) Managing Director Stephan Mergenthaler on the topic: "Dual transformation from strategy to action - Shaping Vietnam in the era of rising up".

After concluding the dialogue and giving his guiding remarks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that after 2 days of urgent work and a series of events (Green Growth Exhibition, Innovation, Creativity, Startup Week, etc.), the Autumn Economic Forum 2025 with the theme "Green Transformation in the Digital Age" was a great success with many special marks.

Firstly, the forum has historical significance: For the first time, Vietnam coordinated with the World Economic Forum to organize it, creating the premise for it to become an annual Autumn Economic Forum in Ho Chi Minh City. The participation of WEF leaders and members affirmed Vietnam's support for this initiative.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh witnessed the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between Ho Chi Minh City and the World Economic Forum. (Photo: THANH GIANG)

Second, the forum has an impressive scale and stature (more than 1,500 delegates, nearly 100 international delegations; 10 Industrial Revolution 4.0 Centers and more than 75 science, technology and innovation centers worldwide). The participants are comprehensive and inclusive (from young people, start-ups, small and medium enterprises, global corporations, from central governments to local governments of countries).

The strategic, practical content focuses on two transformations that are strategically important to the development of all countries, two transformations that are shaping the future of humanity: digital transformation and green transformation.

Raising the question of what we can learn from the rich discussions at the forum, the Prime Minister said that there are "5 very important points of cognitive convergence":

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates attending the Dialogue Session. (Photo: THANH GIANG)

Firstly, we share a common perception of the world: In a volatile, "flat" but also very "thorny" world, with global, all-people, and comprehensive issues and challenges, we all agree on further strengthening solidarity, cooperation, and dialogue; promoting multilateralism and international law, consolidating and promoting the spirit of international solidarity to jointly solve common challenges of the times.

Second , we agree that green transformation and digital transformation are two fundamental elements that constitute an inevitable and irreversible trend; dual transformation (green and digital) has become an objective requirement, a strategic choice and a top priority for countries to develop rapidly and sustainably.

If digital transformation provides "speed" and "intelligence", green transformation provides "sustainability" and "humanity". These two processes, intertwined and resonant, will be the main drivers of global growth in the future.

Third, we all share “three key levers” to promote digital transformation, green transformation, and sustainable development in the coming time: Institutions, resources, and innovation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivers a speech at the Dialogue Session. (Photo: THANH GIANG)

In terms of institutions, we need to build and perfect the legal framework not only for "management" but also for "development creation". In particular, institutions need to promote sustainable technological development, with people at the center; technology must serve people, not replace people. Institutions must harmonize the nation with the region and the world.

Regarding resources, we have thoroughly discussed the mobilization of overall resources, including capital, technology and human resources. Regarding capital, there needs to be a breakthrough in opening up green capital flows (green credit, green bonds), developing carbon markets, and especially promoting the public-private partnership (PPP) model to attract social resources and international investment.

Regarding technology, it is necessary to prioritize cooperation and technology transfer. Regarding human resources, this is a decisive factor, it is necessary to train and retrain to have high-quality human resources to meet the requirements of both green and digital transformation.

Regarding innovation, we all agree that science and technology, especially new and advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, must be the core driving force.

Innovation must come from businesses, research institutes and the people themselves, creating a national innovation ecosystem, arousing the aspiration and spirit of innovation of the whole society.

Fourth, we all agree on a people-centered approach; people are the subject, the goal, the driving force, and the resource for development; development must bring a prosperous and happy life to the people. Green transformation and digital transformation must be for people; technology and artificial intelligence must serve people and not replace people.

Fifth, you all expressed your appreciation, support and willingness to accompany and cooperate with Vietnam on the new development path. We deeply feel this valuable support; we are very moved and sincerely thank you. Vietnam will continue to be a reliable and responsible partner of the international community, contributing to peace, stability and common development of humanity, continuing to be a safe and potential destination for foreign investors, in the spirit of "harmonious benefits, shared risks".

The Prime Minister summarized the results of the forum: "Convergence of intelligence, strengthening of trust, increasing solidarity, greening the digital world in harmony, looking towards the future, sharing benefits". With such a common perception, what do we need to do? To turn the vision and common perceptions into practical actions, with the spirit of "if you say you will do it; if you commit, you must do it", "don't say no, don't say difficult, don't say yes but don't do it".

The Prime Minister requested ministries, central agencies, all levels, sectors and localities to:

For the Government, ministries and central branches: Seriously study and absorb the opinions and proposals of delegates at the forum; on that basis, urgently review and synchronously complete the institutional and legal system (especially laws related to land, investment, energy, and environment to remove all bottlenecks); promptly issue outstanding incentive mechanisms and policies to encourage investment in green technology and digital technology. In particular, promote administrative reform, reduce administrative procedures and business conditions, and create all favorable conditions for businesses and investors.

For localities across the country, especially Ho Chi Minh City, it is necessary to soon issue a detailed Action Plan to implement the forum's commitments. It is necessary to promote the spirit of self-reliance, self-reliance, proactiveness, creativity, "dare to think, dare to do". Be ready to pioneer in becoming a "laboratory" (sandbox) for green economic models, green finance, and smart cities.

Other localities need to build a green transformation roadmap suitable to their comparative advantages, distinct potentials, outstanding opportunities, competitive advantages, creating green links and green economic corridors.

For the business community - the pioneering force for development: Continue to promote the spirit of innovation, change business thinking, boldly invest in research and development (R&D), technological innovation, apply new economic models; improve management capacity and prepare for green standards of international markets. At the same time, actively participate in the policy-making process with the Government.

For scientists, experts, and all people: Continue to promote the spirit of solidarity, unity, cooperation, intelligence and innovation. Research institutes and universities must be the cradle of innovation, promote applied research and train high-quality human resources. Every citizen needs to constantly raise awareness and actively participate in the green transformation and digital transformation process. Every small action such as saving energy and green consumption will also contribute to creating a big change in awareness and behavior in the whole society.

For partners, international organizations and WEF: We hope that partners and international organizations will continue to accompany and support Vietnam in the spirit of "substantive, sincere, and effective" cooperation so that we can have more forums for effective exchange on common development issues; accompany Vietnam to become the "green-digital laboratory" of the region; continue to share knowledge and advanced management experience; provide specific support in preferential finance, high technology transfer, and technical assistance to Vietnam.

The greatest success we have achieved in organizing the Autumn Economic Forum 2025 is to make the forum the starting point for a long-term, sustainable and strategic cooperation journey, bringing benefits to all countries and international partners.

We need to continue to coordinate closely and build the Autumn Economic Forum in Ho Chi Minh City into an annual, prestigious regional and international strategic dialogue platform on innovation and sustainable development.

This not only serves the development of Vietnam, but also demonstrates Vietnam's active and responsible contribution to solving human development issues. The Prime Minister strongly agrees with the proposal of the WEF Executive Director "wishing that Vietnam, a fast-growing and dynamic economy, contributes more to discussions at the World Economic Forum on global economic issues".

This is also Vietnam's policy in the new era of development, as directed by General Secretary To Lam: "Vietnam is in a new mindset, eager and ready to participate and contribute more actively and responsibly to global politics, the world economy and human civilization."

Vietnam is facing a historic opportunity for breakthrough development. The dual transformation revolution (green and digital) is a long journey with many challenges, but there is no other way. The Prime Minister hopes and believes that, with the spirit of solidarity, self-reliance, innovation and extensive international cooperation, together with the determination of the entire political system, the business community and the people, Ho Chi Minh City in particular will overcome all challenges, rise up strongly in the new era, become an "international megacity", contribute significantly to the prosperous development of Vietnam and continuously make positive contributions to peace, cooperation and sustainable development of the region and the world.

* Before the dialogue, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and the World Economic Forum (WEF) on the Initiative to Promote Smart Manufacturing and Responsible Industrial Transformation in Vietnam.

Ha Thanh Giang

Source: https://nhandan.vn/chuyen-doi-xanh-chuyen-doi-so-la-hai-yeu-to-can-ban-cau-thanh-mot-xu-the-tat-yeu-khong-the-dao-nguoc-post925970.html