This information was heard at a meeting between Mr Nguyen Quang Vinh, Deputy Secretary General of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), and Ms Nienke Trooster, Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam, at the VCCI Head Office in Hanoi on November 26.
At the meeting, Ms Nienke Trooster expressed her desire to boost cooperation with the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD) in the coming time by expanding trade cooperation between Vietnamese and Dutch businesses.
Mr Nguyen Quang Vinh suggested some topics of cooperation by introducing VCCI in general and VBCSD in particular to the Dutch Ambassador.
He said the VBCSD has conducted many activities and achieved considerable results by promoting its positive roles and enthusiastically supporting the business community in the achievement of sustainable development strategies in Vietnam.
VBCSD also took part in building and deploying Resolution 19/NQ-CP dated March 12, 2015 of the Government on key tasks and measures to continued improvement of the business environment and national competitiveness.
The council has also developed and implemented the Action Plan for Promotion of Business Integrity in 2015 - 2019. The highlight of Project 12 is to promote the business integrity with the collective action of the community businesses and stakeholders. The active engagement of big companies and stakeholders in implementing business integrity agreements and commitments will synergise efforts for improving the business environment, and enhancing corporate and national competitiveness.
In particular, VBCSD is actively completing the Corporate Sustainability Index (CSI), suggesting the Government to legislate sustainability reporting and supporting businesses to make sustainability reports. In 2016, the council will honour 100 most sustainable businesses in Vietnam.
Appreciating VBCSD’s operations, Ambassador Nienke Trooster hoped that the two sides will be able to jointly organise a joint event of mutual interests.
Mr Vinh recommended some events to the Dutch Ambassador like promotion of sustainability reporting in Vietnam; promotion of transparency and integrity in business; promotion of inclusive business models; and climate change resilience.
Speakers will be prestigious specialists from the United Nations (UN) and Governments of Vietnam and the Netherlands. The event will be held in April or May 2016.
At the United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development, aimed to adopt the Agenda 2030 with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) pending to end their historical missions in late 2015, Vietnam together with 192 UN member countries officially approved 17 SDGs for the 2015 - 2030 period.
UN member states strongly called the business sector to apply innovative business solutions to address sustainable development challenges. The business sector is considered an important partner in the achievement of SDGs.
Companies can contribute to this process through their core operations such as low-carbon infrastructure investment, business transparency and integrity, gender equality in the workplace, provision and improvement of healthcare service quality in underdeveloped nations.
17 SDGs include no poverty; zero hunger; good health and wellbeing; quality education; gender equality; clean water and sanitation; affordable and sustainable energy; decent work and economic growth; industry, innovation and infrastructure; reduced inequalities; sustainable cities and communities; responsible consumption and production; climate action; life below water; life on land; peace, justice and strong institutions; and partnerships for the goals.
Thu Ha
Vietnamese
