VCCI

   As a unit established by VCCI in 2006, the Office of Enterprises for Sustainable Development (Office) has the function of gathering, advising, proposing, and consulting the Standing Committee of VCCI and relevant agencies to implement programs, projects, and events to support enterprises (DN) operating in Vietnam in sustainable development (PTBV), improving competitiveness and international integration.

   After nearly 20 years of operation and development, the Office has always strived to effectively implement and deploy a series of projects, programs and initiatives related to sustainable development and enhancing competitiveness, creating added value for the success of each Vietnamese enterprise in the cause of sustainable development and integration.

   To promote sustainable business and corporate governance, since 2015, the Office has developed the Corporate Sustainability Index (CSI) to provide businesses with a scientific, systematic, and sustainable business governance tool. In the 2020 - 2022 period, the Office received nearly 1,500 applications from businesses applying the CSI Index to participate in the Vietnam Sustainable Enterprise Announcement Ceremony or to use it as a tool to evaluate the effectiveness of sustainable business for businesses.

   One of the most important annual activities of the Office is to promote dialogue on sustainable development between the Government and the business community, including the Sustainable Development Business Forum (VCSF) initiative, which was first held in 2014. Every year, VCSF has gathered useful and valuable opinions in making recommendations to the Government and local management agencies such as: Proposing to perfect the legal corridor to support low-carbon development models and circular economy; proposing to develop investment incentive and preferential policies, mechanisms and economic tools to unlock social resources, effectively mobilize financial resources of the business sector to respond to climate change; recommending local management agencies to resolutely and actively build a transparent and favorable business environment, and integrate sustainable development into local socio-economic development strategies and policies.

   In addition, the Office has been advising and consulting the Government in implementing solutions to address challenges in public-private partnership (PPP) models to create a favorable investment environment and attract the participation of the business community in implementing Vietnam's sustainable development goals.

   The Action Program to Promote Integrity in Business (Project 12) is an initiative in response to the National Strategy on Anti-Corruption to 2020. The highlight of Project 12 is to promote integrity in business by mobilizing the Vietnamese business community to take action towards improving the business environment and building a culture of business integrity in Vietnam. In 2022, the Office initiated the "Vietnam Business Integrity Network Project - VBIN" and launched the VBIN technical advisory group with the participation of 25 organizations, agencies, businesses and committed experts (such as ADB, ASEAN CSR Network, Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, ICEAW, ACCA, ...).

   With the budget supported by UNICEF, the Office has implemented the project Raising Awareness and Promoting Children's Rights in Enterprises with the goal of sharing the content of General Recommendation No. 16 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child with leaders and policymakers, legal experts, scientists and representatives of ministries, departments and relevant organizations. Thereby, raising awareness and taking effective actions to promote children's rights and business principles in Vietnam.

   The Office's top priority activity is international cooperation. During the 2020 - 2022 period, the Office organized many delegations to attend seminars and training courses to share experiences on sustainable development, productivity and integrity. In particular, the delegations participated in developing the 2030 action plan of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) annually; participated in the 2020 Corporate Social Responsibility Vision Project in Southeast Asia within the framework of ASEAN networks as a member of the executive board; participated in the United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development, the 11th Asia-Pacific Conference on Sustainable Consumption and Production organized by the United Nations Environment Programme, etc.

   The Office always seeks, creates and effectively mobilizes the coordination and support of international organizations such as United Nations organizations in Vietnam (UNIDO), Global Compact Network, ASEAN CSR Network, Transparency International, International Trade Center (ITC), WBCSD,... in building and implementing long-term programs and projects, promoting businesses to improve their competitiveness, innovate, and practice sustainable development for the prosperous development of the country.