Opening of GSETS 2025 conference: Green solutions for sustainable development

On the morning of April 10, 2025, the international scientific conference "Green solutions and emerging technologies for sustainability" (GSETS 2025) officially opened at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH). The event gathered over 300 delegates, experts, researchers, and managers from 12 countries, with 172 scientific reports, including 79 oral presentations and 93 poster presentations.

In his opening speech, Mr. Vo Van Hoan, Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, highlighted that the world is undergoing significant transformations. The growth model based on resources and cheap labor is increasingly showing its limitations. As a result, finding new development drivers, particularly through science and technology, innovation, and green technologies, has become an urgent necessity.

The leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee highly praised the theme "Green solutions and emerging technologies for sustainable development" of this year's conference. They noted that the theme aligns perfectly with global trends and reflects the spirit of Resolution 57-NQ/TW on the development of science and technology and national digital transformation.

"The GSETS 2025 conference would act as a practical bridge, fostering stronger collaboration between research institutes, businesses, and regulatory bodies in the process of building a circular economy, low-carbon development, and climate change adaptation", Vice Chairman Vo Van Hoan emphasized.

On behalf of the organizing committee, Professor Dr. Ho Dac Loc, President of HUTECH, mentioned that the GSETS 2025 conference would focus on key sectors such as renewable energy, advanced materials, environmentally friendly technologies, and efficient resource management. He also highlighted the participation of 7 keynote speakers and 26 guest speakers from top global research organizations, underscoring the international significance and high level of expertise present at the conference.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Huy, Deputy Director of the Fourth Industrial Revolution Center in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC C4IR), shared that the Center is currently rolling out key initiatives in artificial intelligence, green technologies, semiconductors, and smart manufacturing. These efforts are aimed at accelerating the transformation of the industrial ecosystem toward smart, modern, innovative, and high-value production. By doing so, they aim to enhance the city's position in the global production chain while fostering the development of sustainable manufacturing capabilities. Adhering to the motto "Converge – Connect – Spread – Reach Far", HCMC C4IR is committed to working alongside domestic and international partners in knowledge transfer and policy formulation to support Ho Chi Minh City's green development agenda.

With a spirit of cooperation and innovation, the delegates at the conference reached a consensus on focusing the discussions on key topics: establishing a unified vision for green technologies and artificial intelligence, sharing international experiences, and proposing specific policy directions that are tailored to the city's unique conditions. The goal is to accelerate the adoption of strategic technologies that will help Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam move towards achieving the Net-Zero target by 2050, in alignment with Vietnam’s 2045 vision of becoming a developed, high-income nation.

The GSETS 2025 conference, taking place over three days, promises to facilitate valuable academic exchanges and establish a robust knowledge foundation that will play a crucial role in supporting the green transition in Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam as a whole.