Green Transition in the Digital Era

On the morning of November 26, the Plenary Session of the 2025 Autumn Economic Forum officially opened in Ho Chi Minh City. The forum was attended by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son, and leaders of various ministries, sectors, and localities. Also present were representatives from approximately 30 diplomatic missions in Vietnam, foreign government representatives, experts, scientists, and over 500 domestic enterprises operating in science, high technology, and innovation.

Regarding international delegates, the event attracted 70 delegations from innovation centers and major corporations. 6 delegations from foreign ministries and sectors (including Australia, China, Kuwait, and Malaysia), 8 delegations from foreign localities, 7 delegations from major international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), along with representatives from 10 global Centers for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR).

The Plenary Session aims to define an action strategy for the “dual transition”, a human-centric approach amidst rapid scientific and technological advancement, while analyzing new industrial trends and the roles of AI, automation, and green technology in boosting productivity and restructuring value chains.

In his opening remarks, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Tran Luu Quang, emphasized that the world is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Growth models are shifting, and supply chains along with global economic structures are being reshaped toward a green, digital, and sustainable future.

Climate and environmental challenges have become more urgent than ever. Simultaneously, artificial intelligence, big data, biotechnology, and advanced materials are carving out an entirely new development landscape. Science, technology, and innovation continue to drive breakthrough advancements, exerting a profound and fundamental impact on all aspects of socio-economic life.

In this context, green transition and digital transformation are no longer merely trends but have become the imperatives of our time. They are the keys to ensuring competitiveness, energy security, environmental protection, and the quality of life for citizens.

Adhering to the guiding principle of “placing people at the center as the goal and driving force of development”, Vietnam in general, and Ho Chi Minh City in particular, identify this as an objective requirement and a top strategic priority for rapid and sustainable growth. Consequently, the Forum's theme of “Green Transition in the Digital Era” carries both strategic weight and immediate urgency.

Dare to envision, commit with determination, and execute resolutely

The Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee stated that following the merger, Ho Chi Minh City has become the convergence point of the country’s three most dynamic growth poles, carrying a broad vision and the aspiration to emerge as a modern, dynamic, and globally competitive metropolis.

The city aims to pioneer the green transition, smart urban development, and high-tech investment attraction, while establishing an International Financial Center. These efforts seek to lay the foundation for Ho Chi Minh City to become the region’s leading hub for economics, finance, technology, and services.

To achieve these objectives, the city has identified three strategic breakthroughs: institutional refinement, synchronized infrastructure development, and the enhancement of human resource quality.

Party Secretary Tran Luu Quang emphasized that Ho Chi Minh City embodies the spirit of “dare to envision, commit with determination, and execute resolutely” in this spirit, the city has persisted in elevating the Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum into the Autumn Economic Forum, an annual dialogue mechanism gathering dedicated and visionary experts, leaders, and businesses who are eager and determined to act. These stakeholders convene to contribute initiatives and propose solutions for the development of both the City and the nation.

According to Secretary Tran Luu Quang, the Autumn Economic Forum will serve as a vital bridge connecting policymakers, the business community, investors, and researchers. It is envisioned to become a “signature brand” of Ho Chi Minh City, a hub of the knowledge economy and a meeting place for pioneering initiatives aimed at a greener, smarter, and more sustainable future.

The Plenary Session of the 2025 Autumn Economic Forum also addresses the need to clarify the global outlook of the smart economy model, identifying benefits to be seized and risks for which Vietnam must prepare. Consequently, it aims to propose methods for building a smart, transparent, and sustainable megacity model for the country.

To delve into core issues regarding the dual transition of Vietnam and the region toward a smart economy, the forum continues with three parallel thematic sessions. Session 1, co-organized with the World Economic Forum (WEF), focuses on “Smart manufacturing and global supply chains”, while session 2 explores “Smart logistics and seaports aligned with dual transition goals”, and session 3 centers on “Smart governance in the digital era”.

The Party Secretary noted that in this new phase of competition, any nation or city that “misses a beat” risks being left behind. He called on the Government, businesses, and academia to view the 2025 Autumn Economic Forum as a commitment to action with clear goals, specific timelines, and transparent results. He also expressed hope that the forum would unlock strong cooperation opportunities, creating further momentum for the City and Vietnam to achieve breakthroughs in digital transformation, green transition, and sustainable development.