Promoting responsible business practices in science and technology

On October 21 in Hanoi, the Ministry of Science and Technology organized a training conference on policies and laws on responsible business practices in the field of science and technology in 2025. The conference aimed to disseminate relevant legal documents, contributing to raising awareness and responsibility of enterprises in complying with legal regulations, promoting sustainable socio-economic development.

Dr. Nguyen Nhu Quynh, Director of the Legal Department, Ministry of Science and Technology . (Photo: Mai Anh)

In her opening remarks at the conference, Dr. Nguyen Nhu Quynh, Director of the Legal Department, Ministry of Science and Technology, stated that "responsible business practices" is a topic of widespread global interest, addressed at numerous sustainable development forums of the United Nations, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the European Union, and developed countries.

As the state management agency in the field of science , technology, and innovation, the Ministry of Science and Technology is responsible for perfecting policies and laws, while guiding businesses to comply with the principles of sustainable development. In the context of digital transformation and the rapid development of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, the requirements for social responsibility and legal compliance are becoming even more urgent. The conference was organized to raise awareness among businesses and the community about responsible business practices, share best practices, and spread the message of sustainable development.

“Besides profit goals, businesses need to strike a balance between economic development and environmental protection, between the interests of producers and the rights of workers and consumers. If we only focus on short-term growth, we will face many potential risks to society and the environment,” emphasized Dr. Nguyen Nhu Quynh.

Dr. Nguyen Nhu Ha, Deputy Director of the Legal Department, Ministry of Education and Training. (Photo: Mai Anh)

According to Dr. Nguyen Nhu Ha, Deputy Director of the Legal Department, Ministry of Education and Training, responsible business practices in the field of science and technology mean that businesses conduct research, development, production, and business activities in a sustainable, ethical, and socially conscious manner. The goal is to ensure a balance between innovation, the application of science and technology, and social responsibility, guaranteeing that scientific progress benefits society as a whole.

Dr. Ha believes that responsible business practices are essential in the current context, where science and technology both open up opportunities for strong development and pose potential challenges to the environment, society, and ethics. For sustainable development, businesses need to focus on four key elements: ethical responsibility, social responsibility, environmental responsibility, and governance responsibility. These are the four pillars that help businesses orient their innovative activities while simultaneously fulfilling their community responsibilities.

According to him, responsible business practices span many areas such as labor, investment, environment, consumer protection, and protection of vulnerable groups. Scientific and technological activities must stem from practical needs, serve socio-economic development, and simultaneously ensure national defense and security. This also means that businesses need to recognize their role not only as profit-generating entities, but also as components contributing to building a civilized and sustainable society.

Dr. Luu Huong Ly, Representative of the Department of Civil and Economic Law, Ministry of Justice. (Photo: Mai Anh)

Dr. Luu Huong Ly, Representative of the Department of Civil and Economic Law, Ministry of Justice, stated that responsible business practices go beyond simply complying with legal regulations. They also require businesses to proactively assess, prevent, and mitigate the negative impacts of their production and business activities on people, society, and the environment. This is an inevitable trend of the times, as economic development cannot be separated from social responsibility and business ethics.

Vietnam has issued Decision No. 843/QD-TTg dated July 14, 2023, of the Prime Minister on the National Action Program to improve policies and laws to promote responsible business practices for the period 2023-2027. The program focuses on raising awareness and capacity of management agencies, businesses, and the community; ensuring national policies and laws are consistent with international commitments; encouraging businesses to exceed minimum legal standards; and strengthening the effectiveness of law enforcement and improving sanctions for violations.

According to her, to achieve those goals, Vietnam focuses on five key areas: attracting high-quality foreign investment; building harmonious labor relations and adhering to international labor standards; protecting the rights of vulnerable groups; protecting the environment; and protecting consumer rights. “Responsible business practices not only help businesses develop sustainably but also contribute to building a dynamic, reputable, and trustworthy national image in the eyes of the international community,” emphasized Dr. Luu Huong Ly.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/thuc-day-thuc-hanh-kinh-doanh-co-trach-nhiem-trong-linh-vuc-khoa-hoc-va-cong-nghe-217091.html