After its successful launch in 2023, the Vietnam ESG Investor Conference returned in 2024 with the theme “Building a Resilient Future for Vietnam.” Presented by Raise Partners and Vietnam Innovators by Vietcetera, the conference brought together leaders, investors, experts, and thought leaders from both the public and private sectors, along with representatives from governmental agencies.
This year’s event promised to offer a wider range of perspectives and deeper discussions on ESG topics across diverse fields such as the finance sector’s role in climate transition, financial inclusion for lower-skilled workers, a case study on organic shrimp farming and mangrove forests in the Mekong Delta, inclusive workforce development for green and tech jobs, and many more.
With an expanded scope and theme, the 2024 ESG Conference boasted a speaker list of up to 80 participants, including both familiar faces and new voices. This diverse lineup aimed to provide a broad overview of the ESG landscape over the past year while introducing innovative ideas and solutions for existing challenges, potentially opening new opportunities for ESG progress.
Returning Experts
Prominent returning speakers at the 2024 Vietnam ESG Investment Conference included Tim Evans - CEO of HSBC Vietnam, Craig Martin - Chairman of Dynam Capital, and Tran Phuong Ngoc Thao - Vice Chairwoman of the Board and Head of ESG at PNJ.
From the 2023 conference, Tim Evans - CEO of HSBC Vietnam emphasized that sustainable finance is a crucial key on the journey towards Net Zero and that this transition requires the involvement of governments, investors, financial institutions, and other stakeholders.
Continuing from his speech last year, Evans will bring to the audience more in-depth information in his keynote on “Reaching Net Zero Together.”
Returning in a new role, Craig Martin, Chairman of Dynam Capital, will participate as a moderator in the discussion session on “Moving Vietnamese Manufacturing up the Value Chain.”
With over 30 years of experience in the Vietnamese market and expertise in leading investment funds, Mr. Craig will continue sharing insights on how to enhance Vietnam’s competitiveness and drive deeper participation in higher-value global supply chains.
The 2024 conference also welcomes back Trần Phương Ngọc Thảo, Vice Chairperson - Board of Directors at Phu Nhuan Jewelry JSC (PNJ).
In 2023, Ngoc Thao primarily emphasized the importance of balancing ESG principles with financial benefits for PNJ. This year, she will engage in discussions on the topic of "The Business Case for Investing in Women Workers and Child Wellbeing."
With five years of experience working with thousands of children, parents, and caregivers through the "Enhancing Awareness of Autism in Vietnamese Children" project (2018-2023), a collaboration by PNJ and the Vietnam Children’s Fund, Ngoc Thao is expected to bring insightful and multifaceted perspectives to the panel.
Embracing New, Diverse Perspectives
To effectively incorporate the ESG framework across various sectors, the collaboration of the Vietnamese government and support from the private sector and international partners are essential.
Government Representatives:
The 2024 Vietnam ESG Investor Conference is privileged to host Stephanie Copus Campbell AM, Ambassador for Gender Equality at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
An enthusiastic advocate for gender equality and human rights for women and girls in Australia, Ambassador Stephanie brings a wealth of experience from her work across public, private, community, and philanthropic sectors in Australia and the Indo-Pacific region. Her session, titled "Investing in Both Resiliency & Growth for People & Planet," promises to offer profound and practical insights.
The conference will also feature Phạm Hoàng Hải, Partnership Development Head at the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD), which is an initiative of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).
With over three decades of experience, Hai has been instrumental in supporting enterprises to adopt sustainable practices, facilitating progress in both governmental and private sectors towards environmental sustainability.
Perspectives from the private sector
Alongside governmental efforts, the private business sector plays a crucial role in implementing ESG practices. A standout figure in this domain is Bruno Jaspaert, CEO of DEEP C Industrial Zones.
With over 25 years of experience at multinational corporations, Jaspaert is currently steering DEEP C towards an eco-industrial park through initiatives such as sustainable utilities, water treatment, inland waterway connections, and waste recycling.
Mr. Jaspaert will join Pham Hoang Hai to discuss “Moving Vietnamese Manufacturing up the Value Chain,” a session moderated by Craig Martin.
Returning from last year’s workshop on responsible manufacturing and sourcing, Biti’s, a heritage footwear brand, will be represented by its CEO, Quyen (Cindy) Vũ. Over her 13 years with Biti’s, Cindy has launched numerous successful initiatives, such as Happy Biti’s, which have propelled the brand to a leading position in Vietnam’s footwear industry.
As the leader of a longstanding company with over 8,000 employees, Cindy will participate in the “Translating Leadership Values into ESG Strategy & Operations” breakout session, sharing insights on the pivotal role of leadership in fostering an ESG-centric culture, ultimately propelling the business towards a more sustainable and responsible future.
To pave the way for a sustainably green future, it is vital to nurture an environmentally conscious mindset and enhance the professional skills of the workforce from their educational years onward.
Contributing an educational viewpoint, Professor Rick Bennett, Vice-Chancellor and President of the British University Vietnam (BUV), will serve as the moderator for the panel discussion on “Investing in Education to Build an Inclusive Digital & Green Workforce by 2050.” This session will explore strategies for integrating sustainability into educational curricula to prepare a skilled workforce for future green industries.
Professor Bennett has spent more than 7 years on the Academic Board and governance committees at RMIT Vietnam. With his significant teaching and research experience, Professor Bennett will heat the panelists with his in-depth questions.
Beyond workforce issues, another critical element in the ESG journey involves small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These businesses often lack access to financial sources and tools to raise their profile as environmental and social impact businesses.
Addressing this issue, Rong Yu, Head of Greater China & SEA, ESG Solutions at S&P Global Sustainable1 will voice her view in the breakout session named "Supporting SMEs on their Investment Readiness and ESG Impact Journey."
With years of experience in consulting companies and investors on industry trends, ESG performance assessment, the use of tools to manage ESG metrics, and future ESG opportunities, Rong Yu will offer expert perspectives and practical solutions to the audience.
Joining Rong Yu in this session is Yen Do - Investment Manager at Beacon Fund. With more than 7 years of extensive experience in impact investing in Southeast Asia, Yen Do leads Beacon’s partnership-building with stakeholders in the women-SMEs support ecosystem and spearheads Beacon’s efforts in delivering social impact through investments.
The 2024 Vietnam ESG Investor Conference by Raise Partners and Vietnam Innovators by Vietcetera is a two-day event, gathering investors and funds, business leaders, Vietnamese and international governments, start-ups, experts, academia, and the media to spark meaningful collaboration and accelerate green and inclusive growth in Vietnam.
When: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, 16-17th May 2024
Where: New World Saigon Hotel76 Le Lai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Event details: find out more HERE
The 2024 Vietnam ESG Investor Conference was made possible with the support of Dynam Capital and Vietnam Holding (Title Sponsor), Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Leading Government Partner), British University Vietnam, HSBC Vietnam (Major Sponsor), New World Saigon Hotel (Venue Sponsor), S&P Global, DEEP C Industrial Zones (Expert Content Partner), Vero Asean (Official Communications Partner), Aden Services (Booth Sponsor), Eurocham, Nordcham, and AmCham (Promotional Partner), Marou, Cricket One and Every Half Coffee (In-Kind Partners).