Conference on SDGs
HSF organizes series of events on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Hanoi

Delegates listen thoughtfully during a presentation on the implementation of the SDGs.

HSF

The series of events was kicked off by a two-day meeting of high-level delegations from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, as well as several environmental officials from Vietnam and involved numerous presentations of international experts. The gathering aimed at exchanging experiences between the CLMV countries and promoting international standards on how to implement the SDGs in the respective national legislative frameworks. In his welcoming remarks Ass. Prof. Dr. Nguyen The Chinh, Director General of ISPONRE, highlighted: “The collaboration between the CLMV countries in the SDGs implementation process is considered highly important and I am quite confident about positive synergy effects that might evolve from such an event.” In the course of the two-day conference representatives of all CLMV countries offered a brief insight in their status quo of the implementation process; especially in finding an appropriate set of indicators. Provided with presentations from well renowned experts, e.g. Dr. Lisa Grace S. Bersales, Co-chair of the Inter-agency Expert Group on SDG Indicators (IAEG-SDGs), and Prof. Laszlo Pinter from the Central European University, the participants were able to discuss their different approaches controversially in working groups and panels.

Moritz Michel, Deputy Director of the HSF in Vietnam, giving his opening remarks.

HSF

The two-day conference was followed up by a workshop for SDGs Indicators with a special focus on “Achieving & Monitoring Sustainable Consumption & Production (SCP) through Eco-innovation in Vietnam”. After a comprehensive introduction to the ASEM Eco-Innovation Index (ASEI) provided by Dr. Mi Sun Park, Project Leader for ASEI and Assistant Professor of Konkuk University, the participants discussed several key aspects of SCP. Ms. Jihyung Joo, Project Manager for ASEIC, later explained: “The discussions should particularly focus on crucial issues like environmental regulations, industry supporting policies, strengthening scientific and technological capacity, as well as appropriate data development and monitoring methodology.” Quite satisfied with the workshop, Mr. Moritz Michel, Deputy Director of HSF, announced: “Today’s event will set the basis for an extensive ASEI National Case Study about Vietnam, which will be also supported by the HSF. We are delighted to continue the partnership with ASEIC in this field.”

The series of events was eventually concluded by an national training workshop on SDGs. Experts from universities and other organizations, as well as environmental officials discussed the impacts of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on a global and national scale. Especially the application of a monitoring systems for SDGs based on already existing national data and the mobilization of financial resources for the implementation of SDGs were among the main subjects of the training workshop.

Group photo of all conference participants in Hanoi.

HSF

Summarizing the series of events, Ms. Grazyna Pulawska, Project Manager for ASEF, stated: “We and our partners from the HSF are very pleased with the outcomes of these jointly organized events. I am confident that our contribution to the ongoing capacity building for CLMV countries will help them to swiftly and effectively implement the SDGs.”

Since 2014 the HSF has been running a project on developing an appropriate framework to implement the SDGs for mitigation of and adaptation to the effects of climate change in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV). Both ASEF and ISPONRE have been important partners of the HSF since the project start.