In his speech, President Bruno Jaspaert of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) highlighted key climate change challenges facing Vietnam and discussed how the country can prepare for the future while sustaining economic growth.

He cited statistics saying Vietnam has already experienced 14 typhoons in 2025, with the 15th approaching. These extreme weather events have caused an estimated US$3.22 billion in economic losses as of 24 November, making it one of the most severe damages in half a century.

“Green transition is a must-win battle,” he said, noting that Vietnam’s economic ambitions cannot be sustained without a decisive shift towards long-term climate resilience and sustainable development.

In his view, Vietnam has the full capacity to shape its own development path - one that allows the country to make a distinctive mark and build an economy more resilient to future climate-related disasters. With European initiatives reshaping global value chains, Vietnam is well-positioned to actively participate in this transition and reap the benefits of supply chain shifts that mitigate risk.

According to EuroCham’s President, Vietnam has already taken bold steps by committing to net-zero emissions by 2050 at COP26, supported by the National Green Growth Strategy; the Power Development Plan VIII, which targets 47% renewable energy by 2030, and a carbon market framework expected to launch in 2029.

At the same time, the country remains one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, attracting over US$31.5 billion in FDI in the first ten months of 2025. This momentum is driving a new era of strong and resilient growth.

He noted the green transition can fully become Vietnam’s most powerful growth driver for decades to come. Europe is already demonstrating this through shaping frameworks such as the European Green Deal, which mobilises at least EUR1 trillion in sustainable investments, and the Global Gateway initiative, which allocates EUR300 billion for strategic partnerships.

At the forum, Jaspaert also announced emergency relief worth US$70,000 contributed by the European business community in Vietnam, to support recovery efforts in Central Vietnam. This response, he said, reflects the deep commitment of European enterprises to Vietnam’s sustainable development.

Taking the floor, European Union Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier affirmed that through economic growth, higher productivity, and sustainable development, EU businesses stand firmly alongside Vietnam in building the country’s future.

He also emphasised that initiatives such as the EU Green Deal, the Just Energy Transition Partnership, the EU Global Gateway initiative, and many other programmes are helping Vietnam build green capacity and fully leverage its potential to address future challenges and opportunities.

Meanwhile, Vu Ba Phu, director general of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE), noted that 35 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the EU have clearly reflected the strategic trust in bilateral security and economic cooperation. The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), in effect since 2020, has become a key lever to elevate trade relations and expand export markets for many of Vietnam’s major industries.

He noted that many Vietnamese manufacturing sectors are gradually upgrading to meet new labour, environmental, and traceability standards. Production processes are being adjusted to comply with requirements on traceability, environmental criteria, and technical standards, in response to the European market and the EU’s increasing emphasis on green practices, greenhouse gas reduction, and consumer safety.

Phu expressed VIETRADE’s confidence in the forum’s role in fostering business connections and reinforcing strong commitments to Vietnam-EU cooperation toward sustainable growth. He also encouraged continued collaboration between EU and Vietnamese businesses in digital transformation, bridging green skills gaps, promoting investment, and other initiatives to strengthen Vietnam’s sustainable economic development.

The Green Economy Forum builds on the legacy of EuroCham’s Green Economy Forum & Exhibition (GEFE), first launched in 2022 to facilitate open dialogue between public- and private-sector stakeholders on climate resilience and sustainable investment.

Over three editions - GEFE 2022, GEF 2023, and GEFE 2024 - the platform has attracted high-level participants, including Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte (now NATO Secretary General), and EU Commissioners Valdis Dombrovskis, Margaritis Schinas, and Virginijus Sinkevičius.

EuroCham to host Green Economy Forum 2025 amid growing climate pressure

VOV.VN - The European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) will host the Green Economy Forum (GEF) 2025 in Hanoi on November 27, serving as a hub for dialogue on sustainable development solutions among policymakers, experts, and the business community amid growing climate pressures.