A seminar titled “Green Champions of Growth: Lessons from Poland’s Economic Transition Toward a Sustainable and Circular Economy” was jointly organized on June 18 by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Hanoi and the Institute for European and American Studies (IEAS) under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.
Focusing on economic transformation and sustainable development, the event provided an opportunity for participants to gain insights into Poland’s remarkable economic transition, while engaging with leading experts in economics, business, and green technology from Poland, the European Union, and Vietnam.
The seminar brought together a distinguished group of participants, including Ambassador Vu Quang Minh, former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.; H.E. Ms. Joanna Skoczek, Polish Ambassador to Vietnam; Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Chien Thang, IEAS Director; Professor Marcin Piątkowski of Poland's Kozminski University; Dr. Bui Viet Hung, Senior Research Fellow at IEAS; as well as representatives from Poland’s Ministry of Climate and Environment, the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam, researchers, experts, and leaders of businesses from Europe and South Korea operating in Vietnam.
In her opening remarks, the Polish ambassador highlighted the longstanding friendship between Vietnam and Poland, which has been nurtured across generations and serves as a strong foundation for cooperation in politics, trade, education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.
According to the ambassador, as the world undergoes profound technological, geopolitical, and economic changes, Vietnam and Poland have significant opportunities to deepen practical cooperation, particularly in innovation, digital transformation, education, scientific research, and the development of highly skilled human resources.
“We believe that Poland’s transformation journey may offer valuable lessons for Vietnam as it pursues its ambitious goals of economic growth, technological advancement, and prosperity for its people,” she said.
Speaking at the seminar, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Chien Thang noted that the world is entering a period of profound transformation, with green growth, the circular economy, energy transition, and innovation emerging as key development drivers. Amid mounting challenges related to climate change, resource depletion, energy security, and sustainable development, countries worldwide are accelerating their shift toward greener, more efficient, and more resilient growth models.
“Green transition is no longer an option, but has become an inevitable trend and a crucial driver of future growth,” he emphasized. “Countries that successfully embrace this transformation will be better positioned to enhance competitiveness, attract investment, and ensure long-term sustainable development.”
Against this backdrop, international experience offers valuable lessons. Poland stands out as a compelling example of successful economic transformation, enhanced competitiveness, and innovation-driven growth. Today, the country continues to advance its green transition agenda in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal, providing practical insights for Vietnam as it seeks to build a green growth model and pursue sustainable development.
The keynote presentation was delivered by Professor Marcin Piątkowski, an economist at Kozminski University and an internationally recognized expert in economic development, innovation, and competitiveness. He shared Poland’s experience in economic transformation and discussed lessons related to sustainable growth, economic modernization, and green transition.
The event also featured presentations and panel discussions on green technology, the circular economy, and sustainable economic transformation. Speakers included representatives from major European and Asian business organizations, including the leadership of EuroCham and KOCHAM, the EU Delegation to Vietnam, Vietnamese research institutions, and the business community.
A highlight of the event was the participation of GreenEvo – the Green Technology Accelerator, a flagship initiative of Poland’s Ministry of Climate and Environment that supports the international expansion of Polish environmental technologies. As a key partner of the seminar, GreenEvo brought a delegation representing 12 Polish technologies across a wide range of sectors, including water management, waste management, biodiversity protection, air quality improvement, climate protection, and circular economy solutions.
The GreenEvo program focuses on areas such as water and wastewater treatment, waste management and recycling, renewable energy, energy efficiency, environmental technologies, and solutions that support circular economy development and carbon emission reduction.
The seminar contributed to strengthening mutual understanding, promoting research cooperation, facilitating knowledge exchange, and expanding business opportunities between Vietnam and Poland in the fields of green growth, circular economy, and sustainable development. These efforts are expected to support both countries in advancing their sustainable development goals while fostering deeper bilateral cooperation in the years ahead.
