The year 2021 celebrates the 48th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United Kingdom, marking the official launching of the Free Trade Agreement between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UKVFTA) and the first time Vietnam participating the 2021 United Nations climate change conference (COP 26) in the United Kingdom. On this occasion, the VNU University of Economics and Business in collaboration with the Department of Climate Change (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment), the Vietnam - UK Friendship Association, the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) and the International Forestry Research Organization (CIFOR) organized the “Vietnam - UK Economic and Trade Forum” on October 21st, 2021.

 

 

The Forum welcomed the British Ambassador to Vietnam - Mr. Gareth Ward; Vice President of Vietnam National University, Hanoi - Assoc.Prof. Pham Bao Son; together with representatives from Climate Change Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; Vietnam - UK Friendship Association; Vietnamese and international agro-forestry organizations and British businesses in Vietnam.

From the VNU University of Economics and Business, there were Assoc.Prof. Nguyen Truc Le - Rector, Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam - UK Friendship Association; Assoc.Prof. Nguyen Anh Thu - Vice Rector and staff and lecturers of the University.

 

At the forum, Vietnamese and UK researchers, managers and businesses presented and discussed partnership development in the fields of economy, trade, response to climate change, and sustainable development between Vietnam and the UK currently.

 

Especially, at the forum, the VNU University of Economics and Business introduced the publication on the Vietnam – UK economic and commercial relations toward a low-carbon economy and sustainable development" edited by Assoc.Prof. Nguyen Truc Le, Rector of the University cum standing Vice President of the Vietnam-UK Friendship Association. The book provides readers with general information on the current situation, lessons learned and policy implications of Vietnam and the UK in all areas of partnership development, especially opportunities to promote comprehensive cooperation of Vietnam – UK within the framework of UKVFTA.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Truc Le said “The United Kingdom holds a special place in my heart. The country where I spent years of my youth had given me valuable knowledge. For now, when holding the position of the Vice President of Vietnam-UK Friendship Association, with all my heart and soul, I hope that this forum and the special publication will contribute to the development and promotion of strategic partnership between Vietnam and the UK, showing the contribution of VNU University of Economics and Business, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and government agencies in promoting comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the UK. Especially, this is closely associated with the advanced research activities and practical applications implemented by Vietnam National University, Hanoi as entrusted by the Party, government and people." 

The forum was divided into three general sessions, two thematic sessions and one policy discussion session. The first general session entitled "Vietnam - UK Economic, Trade and Investment", the speakers discussed key topics such as sustainable trade between Vietnam and the UK, UKVFTA prospects for Vietnam in general and trade - investment relations with the UK in particular, opportunities for cooperation between British and Vietnamese businesses, challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic to bilateral trade between Vietnam and the UK. The forum also aims to connect trade, service and investment partners of Vietnam and the UK to promote cooperation in education, training, science and technology.

 

“Especially, the UK also gives Vietnam tariff quotas with a tax rate of 0% with many agricultural industry groups in which we have advantages such as rice, tuna or products of cassava starch, coffee etc. In that context, Vietnamese businesses have the opportunity to promote export to the UK market with products such as footwear, textiles, seafood, wood as well as other commodities related to plastic and rubber”. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Huong – Associate Dean of Faculty of International Business and Economics, VNU University of Economics and Business.

 

The second session of “Climate Change and Low Carbon Economy” featured with presentations from experts, managers and businesses in the fields of climate change management, climate change finance, sustainable business and a low-carbon economy. In the presentations, the speakers repeatedly emphasized that: Economic and commercial development will always come with environmental protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and sustainable development. The last session on “UK-Vietnam economic and trade relations towards a low-carbon economy and sustainable development: policy recommendations” discussed the bilateral relations between the two countries with valuable recommendations for policy makers.

The forum created a place to connect scholars and researchers and receiving positive feedbacks from participants, promises to open up new collaborations in research between the UEB and research agencies, development organizations, and government agencies of Vietnam and the United Kingdom, towards solving major issues of sustainable socio-economic development and climate change response of the two countries and EU countries.