United Nations recommends Vietnam use AI for early disaster warning

At the Autumn Economic Forum 2025, Pauline Tamesis, the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, stated that the world is standing at a decisive moment. Only ten years after the Paris Agreement was adopted, renewable energy has surged, driving a major shift from fossil fuel energy systems to clean, locally produced and cost-competitive energy sources.

In 2024, global investment in clean energy reached USD 2 trillion, USD 800 billion higher than investment in fossil fuels and nearly 70% higher than a decade earlier.

According to the United Nations representative, energy transition is not only about changing technology but also about paving the way for energy security, human security, smart economic development and sustainable jobs. It is also the foundation for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring universal access to clean and affordable energy.

At the same time, digital technology is comprehensively reshaping life and the economy. There are currently at least 2 billion people shopping online, 3 billion people playing games and 4 billion people connected on social networks.

“Digital transformation has become a structural driver, creating new opportunities for growth, employment and services. Investment in digital infrastructure and policy is viewed by many countries as a strategy to secure future prosperity”, Pauline Tamesis said.

According to Pauline Tamesis, digital technology enhances resource efficiency and reduces emissions, while digital transformation is only sustainable when powered by clean energy. Countries that successfully combine these two drivers are improving competitiveness, attracting investment and creating high-quality jobs.

For Vietnam, the United Nations representative believes that the dual transition of green and digital transformation is a major strategic opportunity to sustain high growth, strengthen resilience and enhance the country’s position in the value chain.

To realize the vision of promoting green transition and harnessing digital technology as dual drivers of inclusive and sustainable growth in Vietnam, Pauline Tamesis said that the United Nations and the Government have conducted macroeconomic modeling. This model measures the impact of public investment in renewable energy, digital infrastructure and social sectors on GDP growth, poverty reduction and CO₂ emissions.

Therefore, Vietnam needs to invest in renewable energy to achieve emission reduction goals and improve air quality while maintaining growth, but this requires very large capital, and if relying mainly on the state budget, public debt will rise sharply.

In addition, investment in people and energy-efficient infrastructure creates positive economic and social impacts, drives GDP growth, reduces poverty and inequality, cuts CO₂ emissions and pollution, and improves the Government’s fiscal space. The growth benefits outweigh potential debt costs.

Furthermore, investment in information and communications technology (ICT) helps increase GDP by at least 2%, while contributing to the reduction of poverty and inequality. When digital infrastructure becomes widespread and efficient, the deployment of multi-layer early disaster warning systems from national to community levels becomes cheaper, faster and more accessible.

According to Pauline, finance is the determining factor but must accompany an integrated policy framework, skills development, infrastructure improvement and capital market reform to attract private and international resources.

She also emphasized that Vietnam needs a unified coordination strategy among ministries and sectors to ensure that green investment and digital investment are not fragmented. Lack of coordination may lead to cost duplication, delays and missed opportunities to attract international capital flows that are shifting strongly toward emerging markets. The United Nations recommends that Vietnam develop a data-sharing mechanism on energy, emissions and digital infrastructure to enhance transparency and help investors accurately assess risks.

The United Nations representative also pointed out that Vietnam’s energy demand is expected to double by 2035, requiring the modernization of transmission, storage and distribution systems. If delayed, energy costs will rise and hinder growth. Therefore, smart grid projects, AI-based load management and energy storage development are becoming urgent requirements.

Finally, Pauline affirmed that Vietnam is in a favorable position with a young workforce, rapid digitalization and strong climate commitments. If Vietnam seizes the golden moment of dual transition, it can break through to become a regional green manufacturing hub, attract high-quality capital flows and strengthen its position in the global supply chain.