Green Economy

CIECI 2024: Green Policies and Practices – Drivers of Development or Pressures for Trade and Investment?

On November 22-23, 2024, Hanoi hosted a conference titled “Green Policies and Practices: Drivers of Development or Pressures for Trade and Investment?” The event was jointly organized by the University of Economics under the Vietnam National University (VNU), the Francophone International Institute (IFI), the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF), Confab 360 Degree (India), the Foreign Trade University (Vietnam), the University of Adelaide (Australia), the University of Economics and Law (Vietnam), Rangsit University (Thailand), and Sofia University (Bulgaria). The conference aimed to provide an academic platform for discussions on policies, opportunities, and challenges in economic integration.

This conference is part of the annual Conference on International Economic Cooperation and Integration (CIECI) series initiated by the University of Economics under VNU, a long-term partner of FNF Vietnam. Each year, the series addresses a specific theme, creating a high-level professional forum for scientists and experts, both domestic and international, to exchange views on emerging and significant issues in international economic integration. The series also aims to deliver timely and effective policy recommendations for Vietnam in the context of deepening economic integration and rapidly evolving global economic conditions.

Since 2022, FNF Vietnam has consistently co-hosted this significant event, underscoring the importance of promoting free trade and economic integration in Vietnam.

Key Discussions at the 2024 Conference

The 2024 conference focused on several core topics:

• The theoretical foundations of green standards, regulations, and policies related to trade and investment.
• The global context surrounding green policies in international trade and investment activities.
• Current practices in trade and investment associated with greening initiatives in various countries.
• Recommendations for countries and enterprises to foster trade and attract foreign direct investment (FDI) in line with global green standards.

The event featured in-depth presentations by international scholars, providing comprehensive insights into green trade and the sustainable transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These discussions emphasized the pivotal role of SMEs in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Panel discussions offered profound perspectives on integrating green practices into international trade, highlighting the necessity of aligning business activities with environmental sustainability. Experts and practitioners shared strategies to help SMEs adapt to green standards, ultimately enhancing their competitiveness and contribution to a sustainable global economy.

A Platform for Exchange and Innovation

CIECI 2024 successfully created a dynamic forum for academics, policymakers, and business leaders to address critical challenges and opportunities arising from the green transition. The knowledge and insights gained from this conference will serve as valuable resources for advancing Vietnam’s economic integration and fostering sustainable growth amid the accelerating global shift toward green practices.