MoIT and IDH cooperate to promote sustainable development

On the morning of September 26, at the Office of the MoIT, the Department of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) held the signing ceremony of the "Memorandum of understanding on supporting the sustainable development of the textile & apparel and footwear industries in Vietnam". The event aims to announce and formalize the cooperation between the MoIT, IDH, and associations in the textile and footwear sectors (Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association - VITAS, Vietnam Cotton and Spinning Association - VCOSA, and Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association - LEFASO) in building and implementing initiatives and priority activities on sustainable development in the textile and footwear industry in accordance with the guidelines and policies of the Party, the State and the Government on sustainable development, sustainable consumption and production, energy efficiency and conservation, circular economy, climate change response and green growth in the coming time.

An overview of the signing ceremony (Photo: Thu Huong)

Attending the event were representatives of units under the MoIT, IDH, the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association, Vietnam Cotton and Spinning Association, Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association, and related organizations and units.

Speaking at the event, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lam Giang, Director General of the MoIT's Department of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development, emphasized: "In recent times, the textile and footwear industries in Vietnam has made many meaningful contributions to the country's economy. However, the industries also face competitive pressures, challenges in resource and energy use, environmental pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. The cooperation between the MoIT with IDH, associations, and relevant parties within the framework of today's Memorandum of Understanding will contribute to promoting the application and replication of sustainable development models, expanding the market for environmentally friendly products, enhancing the competitiveness of domestic textile and footwear enterprises, contributing to the implementation of Vietnam's international commitments on sustainable development and climate change in the coming time.”

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lam Giang, Director General of the MoIT's Department of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development (Photo: Thu Huong)

Sharing some results of the implementation of the National Programs/National Action Programs on Sustainable Production and Consumption, Energy Efficiency and Conservation, “in the past time, the Ministry has organized and implemented a number of tasks to support enterprises in general, and textile and footwear enterprises in particular, to pilot several solutions and models of sustainable consumption and production, energy efficiency and conservation. In the future, in addition to the above tasks, the Ministry will continue to implement tasks related to the circular economy in the field of Industry and Trade. Through cooperation with IDH and associations, supporting textile and footwear enterprises will be one of the priority contents”, Ms. Giang highlighted.

Mr. Pramit Chanda, Global Director of Textile and Manufacturing Business unit, IDH, said: "We are honored and pleased to cooperate with the MoIT and industry associations to support the sustainable development of the Vietnamese textile and footwear industry. This MoU marks an important step forward in promoting sustainable consumption and production, improving energy efficiency, and encouraging circular economic models. By combining efforts between public and private partners, we aim to create sustainable value for businesses, communities, and society, contributing to Vietnam's green growth and in line with Vietnam's and international sustainability goals. This cooperation will reduce the environmental footprint of Vietnam's key export sectors, transforming them in line with global standards."

Mr. Pramit Chanda, Global Director of Textile and Manufacturing Business unit, IDH (Photo:Thu Huong)

Sharing some cooperation results in the recent period, IDH appreciated the role of the MoIT, industry associations, organizations, and partners in implementing activities to support businesses in sustainable development, and emphasized the cooperation to contribute to the successful implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding for the 2024-2030 period.

Representatives of the associations presented at the event also said that this cooperation will promote the participation and contribution of businesses to promote the.implementation of sustainable development initiatives. At the same time, they emphasized the need for businesses to innovate, apply sustainable solutions and models in production and business, and promote the development of sustainable chains to meet the requirements and regulations on sustainable development in the coming period.

Both sides will support businesses to develop sustainably (Photo: Thu Huong)

Content and expected results of cooperation (according to signed documents)

Content of cooperation

Exchange information on policies, strategies, action programs, plans, and regulations related to sustainable development in the textile, apparel, cotton, and footwear industries in Vietnam; share international experiences, initiatives on technology innovation and applications, successful models, and good practices on sustainable production and consumption, energy efficiency and conservation, and climate change response through conferences, seminars, and working missions which conform to legal requirements and meet the needs of the parties.

Capacity building, training, and guidance to businesses and stakeholders on policies, technology, and technical solutions, and sustainable models that contribute to the efficient and sustainable use of resources and energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting green growth and sustainable development in the textile, apparel, cotton, and footwear industries.

Communicate and disseminate policies, legal regulations, good practices and case studies, and successful models for sustainable production and consumption, energy efficiency, circular economy promotion, climate change response, and green growth in the textile, apparel, cotton, and footwear industries.

Exchange, propose ideas, and develop activities and projects on sustainable development; connect and mobilize resources to implement activities and projects on sustainable development in Vietnam's textile, apparel, cotton, and footwear industries that meet practical needs and comply with the existing legal regulations.

Expected results of cooperation

A cooperative network among associations, businesses, brands, managing agencies and organizations will be established, expanded, and developed, contributing to the sustainable development of the textile, apparel, cotton, and footwear industries. Other sustainable programs will be designed, developed, and implemented in alignment with practical contexts and sustainable development goals while ensuring compliance with each party's functions and tasks.

Sustainable models and circular economy models promoting sustainable production and consumption, solutions for efficient resource use, renewable energy development, innovation and application of advanced technologies, energy efficiency technologies will be broadly introduced; the market for raw materials, green products, and eco-labeling will be expanded, contributing to greenhouse gas emission reduction, competitiveness enhancement, and green growth promotion in the Textile, Apparel, Cotton, and Footwear industries.

Policies, regulations, and standards related to sustainable production and consumption, energy efficiency and conservation, climate change response, and green growth of the textile, apparel, cotton, and footwear industries in Vietnam will be introduced and applied in a manner that is practical and meets international requirements, regulations, and commitments.