Elevating ESG adoption for SDG achievements: A collabarative effort by APO and STAMEQ

Post by: Yến Hoa Ngô Kiều - Post date: Wednesday, Dec 18, 2024 | 11:20 - View count: 1978

In order to advance sustainable development and the achievement of the United Nations, Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) and the Commission for Standards, Metrology, and Quality (STAMEQ) through the Vietnam Certification Centre (QUACERT), jointly launched a training course on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) in Hanoi, Vietnam from 9-13 December 2024. The initiative underscored Vietnam’s proactive approach to aligning with global sustainability goals, including its commitments made at COP26 and COP29 outcomes with significant implications for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies. 

Delegates attending the opening ceremony of the ESG Training Course hosted by APO and STAMEQ.

At the opening ceremony, Dr. Ha Minh Hiep, APO Director for Vietnam and Acting STAMEQ Director General, emphasized the transformative role of ESG in guiding corporate strategies and investment decisions. He highlighted Vietnam’s bold pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and the critical need for industries to embrace ESG standards. He noted that ESG was no longer an option but a necessity for businesses seeking global relevance, as environmental protection, social responsibility, and governance frameworks were reshaping Vietnam’s competitiveness on the international stage.

Participants receiving certificates at the closing ceremony of the ESG Training Course.

Mr. Phan Thanh Son, APO Program Officer and Officer in Charge of this project, underscored the significance of this collaboration between the APO and STAMEQ in addressing global issues such as sustainable development and climate change. Through capacity building and knowledge sharing, the training program enabled participants to integrate ESG principles into their organizations for meaningful progress toward sustainability. He also noted the timeliness of the course, aligning with recent SDG promotion initiatives, including the launch of the “APO Green Productivity 2.0: the Road Ahead” in October 2024 and the “ISO Framework for Implementing ESG Principles” (IWA 48) in November 2024, while the Vietnamese Government was also intensifying its commitments to green growth and net-zero emissions.

The program attracted 34 participants from governmental agencies, academia, associations, and enterprises. It was led by two APO resource persons, Ms. Rue-Suei Sun and Mr. Yuan-Chung Chu from the Republic of China (ROC), who provided comprehensive knowledge on ESG concepts and their evolution. The course also introduced global trends, standards, and mechanisms and case studies from the ROC, providing invaluable insights for Vietnam in building sustainable and resilient business models.

 Tran Anh Tuan, EMBA. Head of Training-R&D, QUACERT.