The forum, themed "Industrial Transformation: A New Driver for Ho Chi Minh City's Sustainable Development," featured discussions on global trends and regional cooperation, aiming to shape the city into a leading economic hub by 2045.

The forum was attended by leaders from various ministries and agencies, Ho Chi Minh City leaders, and experts and business representatives from both domestic and international spheres.

During the opening speech, Nguyen Van Nen, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, highlighted the presence of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh - Chairman of the Southeastern Regional Council and Head of the Steering Committee for the Implementation of Resolution 98/2023/QH15 on piloting certain special mechanisms and policies for the development of Ho Chi Minh City. His attendance sent a strong message of determination to overcome challenges and advance the country's economic powerhouse in the coming times.

Ho Chi Minh City, as a significant economic, financial, and commercial center, faces urgent demands to enhance the quality and value of life for its citizens and to develop into a smart, modern, and compassionate city.

According to Nguyen Van Nen, by 2030, the city aims to become a modern industrial city and by 2045, it aspires to stand equal with major cities in the region and achieve numerous significant and specific indicators through a continental reach.

For achieving these strategic objectives, the city focuses on comprehensive green transformation, with industrial transformation being a driving force, digital transformation as a breakthrough, and development cooperation as essential and inevitable tasks.

At the HEF 2024 plenary session, delegates will discuss major themes such as global industrial transformation trends; governance ecosystems and policies to promote industrial transformation; Ho Chi Minh City's industrial transformation strategy in the context of regional, international, and new technological trends; and the role of the Fourth Industrial Revolution Center (C4IR) in Ho Chi Minh City linked to industrial transformation.

In parallel sessions, delegates will select topics relevant to their expertise and experience, engaging in three discussion groups: The role of C4IR in Ho Chi Minh City linked to industrial transformation; Priorities in the industrial transformation strategy; The role of enterprises and stakeholders in industrial transformation.

A key policy dialogue session with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in the afternoon will allow in-depth, substantial exchanges between the central government and local businesses on the implementation of industrial transformation models in the city and national strategic issues, also soliciting macro-level model and policy suggestions for the government.

On September 26, delegates will choose to participate in one of two practical visits and meetings at the Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone (District 7) or the Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Park (Thu Duc City) to discuss and observe the industrial and green transformations in these zones, expanding cooperation and networking opportunities among local and international organizations and experts.

Additionally, the inauguration of the Fourth Industrial Revolution Center (C4IR) at the Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Park, which commenced operations on September 24, 2024, marks another significant event during HEF 2024.

Ho Van - Anh Phuong