Green Economy Forum and Exhibition 2024 (GEFE) helps businesses pursue “greening” through more than 30 in-depth seminars and 200 exhibition booths, taking place on October 21-23 in Ho Chi Minh City.
GEFE is a cooperation forum between Vietnam, Europe, international experts and the large, multi-sector business community, starting in 2022. Returning on October 21-23, the event has the The theme “Creating a Green Future” aims to help Vietnamese businesses access initiatives and solutions to promote the green transition process. Experts also update new regulations and policies from Europe to help businesses adjust their strategies to global standards.
Approach many hot issues in sustainable development
The highlight of the event is more than 30 discussion sessions spanning 10 green topics and a high-level opening session. Discussion sessions discussed emerging green topics in Vietnam and access to policies and standards with the EU market.
Prominent among the topics are renewable energy conversion, green finance for climate change, carbon credit market or solutions to integrate ecosystems into urban infrastructure to combat climate change. post. Speakers will also discuss agricultural value chains and biodiversity conservation; how to optimize costs and reduce emissions from the circular economy; Carbon reduction in tourism development or stories about technology and human resources.
Representative of the organizing committee spoke at the press conference announcing GEFE 2024, in Hanoi, late September. Photo: EuroCham
The organizing committee said the event had more than 150 representatives from the public and private sectors including senior leaders from the Vietnamese and EU governments, including Vice President of the European Commission – Mr. Margaritis Schinas, and other organizations. international, domestic and foreign businesses. B2B and B2G exchange sessions on “green” policies: providing multi-dimensional perspectives and solutions to remove barriers.
Mr. Stuart Livesey – CEO of Copenhagen Offshore Partners (CIP) commented that the forum is a catalyst for sustainable initiatives, creating a strategic space to join hands for common goals. Through two participations, CIP leaders highly appreciated the dialogues on renewable energy, green production and sustainable finance.
“Dialogue plays an important role in shaping the industry and opening up new joint venture opportunities in the future,” Mr. Livesey affirmed.
In addition, the event attracted more than 200 booths exhibiting products, initiatives, and technologies related to sustainable development. 13 of these are countries that have recorded many achievements in green transition such as England, Norway, and Switzerland. 30 spaces for domestic green initiatives. The Netherlands alone – a pioneer country in circular economic transition – has up to 50 booths introducing new green technology and renewable energy.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and representatives of the European Commission, associations and businesses at GEFE 2023. Photo: EuroCham
GEFE 2024 brings many new features compared to the previous two times. In particular, the exclusive Networking Night party organized by the European Business Association in Vietnam, provides opportunities to connect and learn from experience for participating units.
A bridge to bring businesses to the European market
International markets, especially Europe, are increasingly stricter in sustainability standards, posing both challenges and opportunities for Vietnamese businesses. In the coming time, a number of green regulations and trends will be implemented that will directly affect the business activities of enterprises:
According to a EuroCham representative, businesses need to strengthen the application of sustainable traceability from the beginning to create “green passports” for export products. This will meet requirements from the international market such as EVFTA’s traceability regulations for exports to the EU or Global GAP, which requires agricultural products to meet sustainability criteria from cultivation to harvest.
Besides, businesses also need to integrate GHG greenhouse gas inventory into the traceability system. The GHG trend is gradually becoming a mandatory requirement for export businesses. This helps meet EU standards, increases supply chain transparency and provides a competitive advantage in international trade.
Under pressure from new standards, businesses need to proactively anticipate the green transformation trend. GEFE 2024 will act as a bridge, opening the door to help businesses access new solutions in the process of sustainable development.
Mr. Jean-Jacques Bouflet, EuroCham Vice President in charge of policy advocacy, said that GEFE promotes the transformation of policies into practical solutions, aiming for net zero emissions. With 37 years of experience working at the Commission, European Commission, Mr. Bouflet affirmed that the dialogues at the event will provide necessary guidance for Vietnamese businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, to overcome EU standards.
“With expert support from Europe, GEFE helps narrow the technology gap, especially in the fields of renewable energy and sustainable agriculture, helping Vietnam transform green and expand into international markets” , EuroCham representative said.