This is one of VBCSD’s important annual activities, attended by members of the Standing Committee and representatives of official Council members to discuss and provide input on the orientation and action plans of VBCSD. This takes place in the context of many positive developments in private economic policy, aiming to enhance competitiveness and build an inclusive, sustainable business community.

The 2025 Expanded Standing Committee Meeting of VBCSD

In 2024, alongside core activity groups such as communication and awareness raising; training; research; international cooperation; and partnerships, VBCSD successfully continued its prominent activities, including the 9th consecutive Vietnam Sustainable Enterprise Assessment and Announcement Program (CSI) and the 11th consecutive Vietnam Sustainable Business Forum (VCSF).

Notably, with the integration of ESG content and more specific allocation by industry groups, the 2024 CSI Index Set continues to serve as a tool to help businesses organize more effective internal governance, prioritize which tasks should be implemented first, and identify initiatives that can be further developed to optimize governance efficiency and business operations. Additionally, the discussions and recommendations from the 2024 VCSF Forum received high praise for focusing on green transformation, synchronized transition, and initiatives aimed toward Net Zero 2050.

Moreover, the Sustainability Connect Talk member engagement initiative was highly appreciated by VBCSD members and regarded as an effective bridge to enhance connection and sharing within the VBCSD member network. Regarding membership development, from 2024 to the present, VBCSD welcomed 7 new members, including 5 official members and 2 associate members.

For the 2025 work plan and the operational direction for term V (2025–2028), members agreed that the action plan implementing Resolution 57 on innovation and Resolution 68 on private economic development would be the key focus for VBCSD in the upcoming term. VBCSD will concentrate on the following core tasks:

First, the 2025 CSI Index and Program, along with the Sustainable Industrial Park Index currently being finalized, are identified as two main pillars to promote private economic development in a green and circular direction. These tools will help businesses improve institutional frameworks and governance, meet environmental and social governance standards aligned with ESG orientation, and enhance access to preferential loan interest rates to implement green and circular projects while applying the ESG standard framework in the spirit of Resolution 68.

With the CSI Index for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) officially introduced and applied in the 2025 CSI Program, this is considered a positive initiative aimed at strongly promoting SMEs to actively practice sustainable corporate governance in particular, and sustainable production and business in general.

Second, promoting innovation and value chain linkage through the establishment of hubs for green transformation, encouraging connections between private enterprises, state-owned enterprises, and FDI within the VBCSD member community to build sustainable domestic supply chains, notably in sectors such as agriculture, chemicals, and retail; aiming to accelerate circular economy models in these industries.

Third, strengthening research and in-depth evaluation of sustainable business development concepts to create a database and reference information for activities and initiatives that promote sustainable business practices in reality.

Fourth, enhancing communication and awareness raising; training, supporting, and consulting to strengthen the capacity of the Vietnamese business community in implementing inclusive and sustainable production and business models.

Finally, completing and operating working groups on the circular economy, green finance, member development and connection, along with the Sustainable Development Business Club.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh – Vice Chairman of VCCI, Chairman of VBCSD, delivered the concluding remarks at the meeting.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh emphasized that these opinions are not only important in terms of orientation but that many of the contents can be implemented immediately, especially proposals related to strengthening and improving the effectiveness of communication efforts, promoting connections among members, as well as expanding membership policies for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Reaffirming the consistent message: “Without sustainable businesses, there can be no sustainable economy,” Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh stated that VBCSD’s orientation and action plans in the near future will continue to be comprehensively consolidated and closely aligned with the spirit of Resolution 68/NQ-CP in particular and the four-pillar policy framework in general. Activities will also closely follow the practical needs of VBCSD member businesses as well as the entire Vietnamese business community, aiming to realize sustainable development goals, enhance the competitiveness of enterprises and the national economy, thereby supporting businesses to stand firm and integrate more deeply and effectively into the global economy.

In term V (2025–2028), VBCSD aims to continue developing a pioneering business community that implements the four strategic resolutions 57, 59, 66, and 68 to promote sustainable business development oriented toward green, circular, and innovative approaches. Building a work program in response to Resolution 68, operating working groups, and establishing incentivizing membership fees to attract more small, medium, and micro enterprises to participate in sustainable development are the key points in the operational direction for the upcoming term, which were agreed upon by the Standing Committee members.

Phan Nam (Business Forum Magazine)