Vietnam’s green era: Firm commitment to sustainable transformation

The event marked a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to amplify the voices of developing nations on the global stage.

The four-day summit officially opened in Hanoi on Wednesday, with the participation of Party General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and numerous foreign leaders and international organizations.

This was the first time a P4G summit had placed people at the center of the green growth agenda, underscoring Vietnam’s strategic approach to sustainable development.

“We are determined to translate political commitments into practical actions, fostering a green economy through institutional reform, technological breakthroughs, and human capital development,” Party chief Lam said at the summit.

“A green institutional framework is foundational, green technology is the driving force, and green human resources play a decisive role."

With over 40 years of experience in Doi Moi (Renovation), Vietnam remains steadfast in its principle of ‘sustainable, inclusive, and harmonious’ development.

Rapid progress must go hand in hand with environmental responsibility, cultural preservation, social equity, and resilience to climate change, the top Vietnamese official underlined.

Hosting the summit also reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, promoting energy transition, and advocating for the vital role of developing countries in global climate dialogues.

A difficult but necessary path

In his speech, PM Chinh acknowledged the complexity of the green transition, emphasizing both the success and failure that offer valuable lessons for the future.

The green transformation of humanity is not an easy path, he noted.

“It must be inclusive, comprehensive, global, and people-centric, leaving no one behind,” he said.

“A green economy requires green businesses, a green society needs green citizens, and a green world must consist of green nations.”

Science, technology, digital innovation, and market mechanisms are all vital in driving green growth.

Citing the rapid rise of renewable energy, the Vietnamese government leader said that only when innovation aligns with market readiness and public awareness does sustainable development become truly viable. 

He also called for fairness in the global green transition, advocating for flexible strategies that account for the varied conditions and capacities of countries.

Concrete proposals for global green push

PM Chinh proposed actionable steps to accelerate the global green transition.

Foremost among them was the need to cultivate green thinking, with a focus on technology, innovation, and digitalization aligned with green growth goals.

He suggested governments should guide policy and ensure stable, supportive institutions, while private enterprises must lead in green investments and standard adoption.

Scientists should pioneer technological advances and workforce training.

Citizens must continuously raise their environmental awareness.

The prime minister also hinted at stronger international cooperation and the development of multilateral green partnerships to accelerate the flow of green finance, technology, and governance expertise.

He stressed that developed nations should honor their commitments to support developing countries through finance, knowledge-sharing, and institutional reform, while developing nations must mobilize internal resources and use external aid effectively.

Strategic and human-centered vision

The theme of the fourth summit, ‘Sustainable and People-centered Green Transition,' reflected Vietnam’s overarching development philosophy.

Unlike previous summits in Denmark, South Korea, and Colombia, which emphasized carbon neutrality and partnerships, this year’s edition spotlighted the human element in sustainable transformation.

By placing the principle of ‘leaving no one behind’ at the heart of a green growth summit, Vietnam signals its ambition to make more contributions and sharing to inclusive sustainability, despite its own challenges as a developing country facing significant climate risks.

Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam Johan Ndisi told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that it was inspiring to witness Vietnam’s ambitious goals to lead the region in green growth and sustainable development.

Sweden, a long-standing advocate of sustainability, strongly supports this momentum, he said.

He emphasized the urgency of climate change, calling on nations to fully leverage financial, technological, and innovative capacities to boost resilience and inclusive growth.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohamed said that the summit had offered renewed hope to the world.

“Through cooperation, we can help emerging and developing economies transform their energy, water, and food systems to become more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable,” she underlined.

A series of events were organized during the summit to connect green-focused start-ups with investors.

A highlight of these efforts was a green growth exhibition featuring over 50 domestic and international start-ups, alongside prominent global organizations.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang told the press that meaningful partnerships were expected to emerge from these exchanges.

“We hope to see significant cooperation agreements signed, contributing to the overall success of the summit and the broader journey toward sustainable green transformation.”

The summit wrapped up on Thursday.