4th Partnership for Green Growth and Global Goals 2030 Summit opens in Hanoi

The 4th Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit with the theme of “Sustainable and People-Centered Green Transition” officially opened in Hanoi on April 16 afternoon, according to a report from the Vietnam News Agency.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam attended and delivered a policy message at the opening ceremony, which was chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

The two-day summit has brought together over 1,000 representatives from over 40 countries, territories and international organizations, including Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Neth Savoeun, and Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Amina J. Mohammed.

The summit is the first multilateral high-level conference in the field of green growth, green transition, and sustainable development hosted by Vietnam.

PM Chinh was quoted by the news agency as  stating in his opening speech that since its inception in Copenhagen in 2018, the P4G Summit has demonstrated the far-reaching impact of a world leading forum for promoting public-private partnerships, connecting governments, businesses and social organizations to jointly come up with breakthrough solutions for green growth, contributing to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to 2030.

He said that as the world is facing unprecedented challenges such as natural disasters, climate change, pandemics, environmental pollution, resource depletion, and an aging population, green transition and sustainable development are inevitable trends, top priorities, and strategic choices for nations and people globally.

The 4th P4G Summit reflects a shared desire for a bright, green, clean, and beautiful world, the PM said, emphasizing that the human factor is the centre, the subject, the goal, the driving force, and the resources for the greening process and sustainable development in the world.

According to the PM, facing difficulties and challenges also presents opportunities for countries to develop together, overcoming headwinds for the enduring development of nations, and for the happiness of all people worldwide.

The green transition in the world has not been easy with both successes and failures, but it has left important lessons, which are valuable guides as the world is entering a new phase of development that is greener, more inclusive, and more sustainable, PM Chinh said, adding these include ensuring an inclusive, comprehensive, global approach that leaves no one behind, especially vulnerable and disadvantaged groups during the green transition process.

"A green economy requires green businesses. A green society requires green citizens. A green world requires green nations. The participation, contribution, and enjoyment of the benefits from the green transition are both responsibility and interest of all nations and peoples, in the spirit of ‘working together, winning together, benefiting together, and developing together," the Government leader emphasized.

He said science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation also play a key role, while markets lead the way and social awareness serves as a foundation in promoting green transition, upholding the principles of equality, fairness, and responsibility in this process.

For Vietnam, PM Chinh said that together with digital transformation, Vietnam identifies green transition as an objective necessity, a key factor, and a breakthrough driving force to promote rapid growth and sustainable development. This aligns with the strategic goal of becoming a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030, and a developed, high-income country by 2045, while also contributing to the gradual realization of Vietnam's commitment at COP26 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

The PM said as the host of the fourth P4G Summit, Vietnam has three suggestions for discussions which pave the way for further cooperation in the coming time.

First, Vietnam recommends to perfect green mindset, focusing on the development of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation linked to green growth. This includes recognizing that green resources stem from green thinking, green growth is driven by green transition, and green resources arises from the green awareness of people and businesses across nations and regions.

Second, it is necessary to build a responsible green community, in which, the government plays a guiding role, encouraging and ensuring a stable and favorable institutional environment for green growth; the private sector serves as a core in technology investment and the dissemination of green standards; the scientific community leads in developing green technologies and training green human resources; and citizens continuously enhance their green awareness, truly becoming beneficiaries of the outcomes of green transformation.

Third, international cooperation and robust multilateral green cooperation models need to be promoted, particularly public-private partnerships (PPP), South-South cooperation, North-South cooperation, and multilateral cooperation frameworks. This aims to eliminate institutional barriers, enhance access, and accelerate the flow of green capital, green technology, and green governance.

Developed countries should take the lead in fulfilling commitments to provide financial, technological, and institutional reform support, while developing countries need to leverage their internal strengths and effectively utilize external resources, the PM added.