Hanoi Forum 2018 Closing Ceremony
On November 10 the international conference Hanoi Forum 2018 came to its closing. The forum gathered nearly 400 delegates including leaders and former national leaders, politicians, managers of international development organizations, scholars and scientists from all over the world to come and discuss various issues related to climate change and sustainable development.
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Hanoi Forum 2018 Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony was hosted by Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Hoang Hai, VNU Vice President, and joined by Prof. Mai Trong Nhuan, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Panel on Climate Change, Prof. Vu Minh Giang, Chairman of VNU Council for Science and Training, Dr. Nguyen Hong Son, Director of Hanoi Institute for Socio-Economic development studies, and Prof. Yong Hak Kim, President of Yonsei University to deliver closing speeches.
The Hanoi Forum 2018 has five panel discussions namely: (1) climate change evidence and security, (2) human impacts on climate change, (3) climate change response, (4) policy and governance of climate change response and sustainability, and (5) science, technology and education for climate change response and sustainability; and two policy dialogues: (1) sustainable development of Mekong delta responding to climate change and (2) building resilient, safe and sustainable cities in Red river delta (Hanoi city, Vinh Yen city , Hai Phong city).
Many of the presentations showed significant impacts that human beings have made on climate change, while others examined the status quo of the issue and pointed out climate change was happening faster, fiercer and more dangerous than we had expected.
One highlighted point was that we often separate adaptation and mitigation of climate change impacts, but in reality these two aspects must always be aligned. If we now could reduce our negative impacts on the climate, we will reduce the adaptation pressure to the created consequences.
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Presentation at the panel session
The participants also emphasized the role of solidarity, the determination of global action in the fight against climate change; initiatives from all countries regardless of their development levels are encouraged and valuable. There is an urgent need for comprehensive multi-sectoral cooperation in addressing climate change issues. Synergies of different stakeholders: governments, international organizations, universities, businesses, and individual is a critical condition to shorten our journey to the goal of sustainable development.
In recognition of important roles of higher education institutions, many delegates suggested a network of science, technology and education, in which key participants, top universities from various countries, would work together to act against climate change, be established.
Director Hong Son of Hanoi Institute for Socio-economic Development Studies highly regarded the scientific contribution of discussions at Hanoi Forum 2018, particularly the policy dialogue on cities development in the Red river Delta. Son showed his interests in the lessons learnt from England and Southeast Asian cities on strategic economic development master plans in harmonization with environmental protection.
President Kim of Yonsei University acknowledged VNU’s important and timely initiative in bringing climate change to the discussion table, and emphasized that universities must act more aggressively, and act together. “We do not have plan B, because there’s no planet B”, said President Kim.
In his conclusion note, Vice President Hoang Hai re-emphasized the importance of achieving a harmonious society and addressing climate change challenges centered on the values of humanity and prosperity for all, and Vietnam National University, Hanoi is honored to carry on this conversation at a global level.
Poster presentations
Hanoi Forum Secretariat
Hanoi Forum 2018 Opening Ceremony
On 9th November 2018, the opening ceremony of the Hanoi Forum 2018: Towards Sustainable Development – Climate Change Response for Sustainability and Security, co-organized by Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) and Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies (KFAS) was held at Nguyen Van Dao Auditorium, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
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Hanoi Forum is an initiative of VNU to get governments and communities more involved, and aggressively pursue our ambitious Sustainable Development Goals to 2030. For the inaugural event, the Goal 13 of Climate Action was chosen. Hanoi Forum 2018 encourages interdisciplinary, intersectoral research, and the combination of science and technology to enhance efficiency of climate change response.The forum honoredly welcomed Mr Le Cong Thanh, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr Pham Cong Tac, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and Mr Chey Tae–won, Chairman of SK Group to attend and deliver welcome speeches. Mr Nguyen Duc Chung, Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee and Mr Pham Ngoc Minh, Vice President of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) were also present at the opening ceremony.
The plenary session cordially welcomed five distinguished keynote speakers: Rt Hon Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and former Administrator of UNDP, Mr. Stephen P. Groff, Vice President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB); Dr. Youba Sokona, Special Advisor of the South Center, Vice Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Professor Diana Ürge-Vorsatz of Central European University, and Professor Mai Trong Nhuan of Vietnam Panel on Climate Change.
In his opening address, VNU President Nguyen Kim Son asserted that “Sustainable development goals can only be achieved by resonating the strength of all stakeholders: government, international organizations, universities, businesses, and individuals. The participation, contribution and resonance of stakeholders will help bridge the gap to sustainable development goals and will not leave anyone behind”. Being a leading university in Vietnam, VNU is devoted to working with the Government of Vietnam and international partners to address emerging global issues including climate change. It is highly expected that this forum raises important issues before the United Nations Conference on Climate Change 2018 (COP24) in Poland early December.
Deputy Minister of Science and Technology – Le Cong Thanh congratulated Hanoi Forum 2018 on its initiative to contribute to achieve the goal of sustainable development and responding to climate change at different levels.
Pham Cong Tac - Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment believed that the Forum of Hanoi 2018 will achieve its goals of developing mechanisms and policies, solutions to promote cooperation and partners to respond to climate change effectively. He wished that the first forum of great success.
Rt Hon Clark shared the humanitarian and harmonious solution in climate change response between international and local solutions.
Dr. Sokona presented the report on global connectivity and unification on Mitigation and Adaptation Climate change, the important role of climate change response to sustainable development.
With regard to Southeast Asia, Mr. Groff presented a report on environmental hotspots as well as smart urban development, low-carbon, sustainable infrastructure, climate change response, etc.
Professor Ürge-Vorsatz shared at the forum the core messages of the IPCC report with a 1.5 degree C scenario, emphasized the role of extreme emission reduction.
Professor Mai exchanged on the key issues including climate change adaptation and related solutions in Vietnam, localized solutions to achieve sustainable development goals.
On the following day, November 10, Hanoi Forum 2018 will continue with five panel discussions, namely Climate change and security; Human impacts on climate change; Climate change response; Policy and Governance of Climate Change response and Sustainability; and Science, technology and education for climate change response and sustainability, and two sessions of policy dialogues about the Red River Delta and the Mekong Delta River.
Hanoi Forum Secretariat
HANOI FORUM 2018 SIGINING CEREMONY AND PREPARATORY MEETING
HANOI, Vietnam - On July 2nd, the Signing Ceremony of and the first Preparatory Meeting for Hanoi Forum 2018, co-hosted by Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) and Korea Foundation for Studies (KFAS) was organized at Vietnam National University, Hanoi. The Organizing Committee, Academic Committee, the Secretariat, panel session chairs and representatives, as well as the responsible colleagues of relevant departments of VNU attended the meeting.
President Nguyen Kim Son (right) and President Park In-kook (left) signed and exchanged the Agreement on establishing and implementing Hanoi Forum 2018
President Nguyen Kim Son of VNU delivered a warm welcome speech to the KFAS delegates led by President Park In-kook. President Kim Son praised the long-term cooperation between KFAS and VNU, evidenced by KFAS’s generous support for the Asia Research Centre of VNU and now the jointed efforts of the two parties in organizing Hanoi Forum, an international forum exchange for sustainable development.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Anh Thu, Director of Cooperation and Development Department of VNU, presented to the KFAS delegates progresses on preparation for the forum, followed by presentations by Prof. Mai Trong Nhuan, a co-chair of Academic Committee, and representatives of each panel session. They deliberated on the rationale behind their selection of topics, foci, and the big questions they expect to explore in each panel.
Photo by: Tung VU
President Park In-kook reviewed and spoke highly of the significant progress in preparatory work. He hoped that Hanoi Forum could pioneer a number of initiatives in tackling climate change in a smarter and more efficient manner, and contribute to the concerted efforts in bringing the coordination of addressing the issue to a higher level globally. He also zoomed out from the 2018 theme of climate change to re-connect with the umbrella topic of Hanoi Forum, sustainable development, and stressed the importance of understanding about aid effectiveness.
Hanoi Forum is an international exchange forum, jointly hosted by Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU), and Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies (KFAS). The general theme of Hanoi Forum is “Towards Sustainable Development”. Hanoi Forum aims at promoting the goal of inclusive and sustainable development for all. It encourages interdisciplinary research that push our knowledge limits in understanding socio-economic growth and conservation, interactions between human and environment, prosperity and equality.
For its inaugural event in 2018, the Goal 13 about Climate Action is chosen to discuss, hence and the theme is “Towards Sustainable Development: Climate Change Response for Sustainability and Security “. Hanoi Forum 2018 is scheduled for November 8-10, 2018 in Hanoi, Vietnam. The forum includes five panel sessions: “Climate Change Evidence and Security”, “Human Impacts on Climate Change”, “Climate Change Response”, “Policy and Governance of Climate Change Response, and “Science, Technology and Education for Climate Change Response”, and two roundtable/side events about policies for sustainable development in the Mekong Delta and Red River Delta.
Hanoi Forum Secretariat
HANOI FORUM 2018 CALLING FOR ABSTRACTS
We cordially invite you and your colleagues to participate and submit abstracts to “Hanoi Forum 2018: Towards Sustainable Development – Climate Change Response for Sustainability and Security”. We encourage submissions that approach this theme from a variety of perspectives, and submission of other topics for consideration is welcome. Abstracts can be submitted through the Forum website at https://hanoiforum.vnu.edu.vn.
Thematic topics include, but are not limited to:
1) Climate change evidence and security: Climate measurement processes, methodologies and technologies; Paleoclimatology; CC Assessment; Environmental change; Sea level change; Floods, drought, forest fires, hurricanes, other climate extremes and disasters; CC impact and vulnerability; CC resilience; Riverine ecosystem impacts; Mountain ecosystem impacts; Coastal ecosystem impacts; Marine ecosystem impacts; Impacts on humans and societies; Water supply, Water resource security; Energy sustainability; Environment sustainability; Ecosystem sustainability; CC and government fragility.
2) Human impacts on climate change: Distinguishing climate change and human impact on natural and social system; Synergistic impacts by climate change and human activities; Land-use change; Natural resource exploitations; Greenhouse gas emissions; Environmental pollution.
3) Climate change response: Approaches in CC response and SD; CC adaptation; CC mitigation; CC response for fields and areas/regions; Climate resilient economic and livelihood development; Climate resilient infrastructure development; Disaster and climate-resilient communities, cities; Nature and ecosystem-based CC response; Models of low-carbon, climate resilient and nature harmonious society.
4) Policy and governance of climate change response and sustainability: Policies in CC response; International politics, agreements on climate change; CC economics and finance. Strategies for sustainability; Policy and governance for taking CC opportunities; Policy and institutional innovation for sustainable development and CC response in the Mekong Delta; Policy and institution innovation for resilience building, safe and sustainable cities in the Red River Delta.
5) Science, technology and education for climate change response and sustainability: Education and awareness for management of CC; Higher education on CC response; Alternative and renewable energy sources: technologies, policies, and strategies; Technologies of CC mitigation: carbon dioxide sequestration, solar shades, and others; Low carbon and green technology for CC response and sustainable development.
SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT
Interested delegates should register and submit abstracts via Hanoi Forum 2018 website at: https://hanoiforum.vnu.edu.vn. All abstracts must be submitted no later than 30 June 2018, and in English.
Should you have any question, please contact us at hanoiforum@vnu.edu.vn.
ANNOUNCING HANOI FORUM 2018
HANOI, Vietnam – Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) and the Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies (KFAS) will co-host Hanoi Forum 2018, an international academic conference on climate change response and sustainable development, scheduled for November 8-10, 2018 in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The forum's theme is “Towards Sustainable Development – Climate Change Response for Sustainability and Security”.
The Paris Agreement on climate and The 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development in 2015 has created and promoted the transformation of the existing development model to the new one of low-carbon, resiliency and sustainability. It is a great opportunity for many nations to embrace on a more sustainable path in the context of global changes.
Hanoi Forum is committed to contribute to this process of change. The Forum encourages the study of climate change response and sustainable development, particularly the Asia-Pacific region. It facilitates inter-national academic exchange and discussion in order to increase the effectiveness of climate change response.
Hanoi Forum 2018 features keynote speakers, panel discussion and two side events as policy dialogues on natural resource management in the Mekong Delta region and urbanization in the Red River Delta. Information on keynote and guest speakers will be updated by April 2018.
Hanoi Forum 2018 is calling for abstract submission. Further information on registration and submission can be found at the Forum website: https://hanoiforum.vnu.edu.vn.
Hanoi Forum 2018 1st Announcement can be downloaded here.