Short-term certificate Since 2022, Can Tho University (CTU) has been honored by the Government to take the lead in coordinating with domestic and international partners to organize the Forum of Sustainable Development of the Mekong Delta – Outlook 2045 (SDMD 2045). This is a strategic initiative by CTU aimed at connecting stakeholders, fostering policy dialogue, sharing knowledge, and jointly proposing directions and solutions to strengthen cooperation in the development and implementation of practical programs and projects. Through these efforts, the Forum helps lay a solid foundation for the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta in the context of climate change, economic restructuring, and international integration, in an era of digital transformation.
Following the success of ten previous quarterly dialogue sessions, on June 27, 2025, CTU and the People's Committee of Kien Giang Province co-hosted the 11th Quarterly SDMD Dialogue of 2025 under the theme “Developing Marine Economy - A New Driving Force for Sustainable Development of the Mekong Delta.” The event was held in person at the People’s Committee of Kien Giang Province and was livestreamed on CTU's official social networks (Facebook, YouTube), the SDMD 2045 fanpage, and via Zoom platform.
The program was held at the People’s Committee of Kien Giang Province
The program received strong attention and participation, both in-person and online, from representatives of central and local ministries, sectors, and agencies, including the Ministry of Education and Training, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Ministry of Science and Technology, and Ministry of Industry and Trade; along with leaders and representatives from the People’s Committees, departments, and affiliated agencies from cities/provinces in the Mekong Delta.
Representing Kien Giang Province were delegates from the People’s Committee and the Department of Agriculture and Environment, Department of Education and Training, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Finance, Department of Industry and Trade, Department of Construction, Department of Health, and Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. From CTU, members of the Board of Trustees, the Party Committee, the Rectorate Board, and representatives from affiliated units were also in attendance.
The dialogue was held in collaboration with various domestic and international organizations, including the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Vietnam, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO, Australia), Vietnam Global Partner Enterprises Ltd., CT Group, Sun Phu Quoc Ltd. Co., (Sun Group - Southern Region), Trung Nam Group, Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank), Chen-Yung Memorial Foundation Inc., Minh Phu Seafood Corp, Vietswan Poultry Production JSC, My Lan Group, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Vietnam Association for Logistics Manpower Development (VALOMA), Vietnam Seaculture Association (VSA) along with enterprises; Kobe University (Japan), National Taiwan Ocean University (Taiwan), universities and colleges from the region and abroad. The event also welcomed numerous domestic and international experts and scientists, with exceptional support from sponsors.
Delegates attended the dialogue in two formats: in person and online
At the dialogue, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phuong - Party Secretary and Chair of CTU Board of Trustees – shared that the 11th Quarterly SDMD Dialogue, under the theme “Developing Marine Economy – A New Driving Force for Sustainable Development of the Mekong Delta,” is a concrete step toward realizing the policies of the Party and State. It serves as a program connecting strategic thinking - scientific knowledge - practical solutions - and the commitment to action from all stakeholders. He emphasized that through the presentations and discussions, participants would work together to clarify: (1) the potential and strategic value of the marine economy for the Mekong Delta and the nation; (2) the role of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation - especially high-quality human resources; (3) opportunities for interdisciplinary, interregional, and international cooperation in sustainable development; and (4) most importantly, the establishment of concrete directions for developing the Master Plan to Build Kien Giang into a National Marine Economic Hub.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phuong emphasized that the 11th Quarterly SDMD Dialogue serves as a concrete step to realize the Party and State's policies, acting as a bridge between strategic thinking, scientific knowledge, practical solutions, and the commitment to action from stakeholders
In his opening remarks, Mr. Giang Thanh Khoa – Provincial Party Member and Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Kien Giang Province – stated that Kien Giang is one of the localities with abundant marine economic potential and a particularly strategic position. With over 200 km of coastline, more than 63,000 km² of sea area, and over 140 islands – including Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s only island city – Kien Giang Province has all the conditions to gradually become a key marine economic center of the country and the region. He emphasized that the Provincial Party Committee and People’s Committee of Kien Giang have been actively implementing Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW of the Central Government on the sustainable development of Vietnam’s marine economy, focusing on key pillars such as marine tourism, aquaculture and fisheries exploitation, transportation and logistics, renewable energy, and the development of coastal cities.
Mr. Giang Thanh Khoa emphasized that Kien Giang Province is promoting administrative reform, completing planning frameworks, investing in synchronous infrastructure, encouraging innovation, and fostering science, technology, and digital transformation throughout the marine economy sector
The dialogue featured eight key presentations and a discussion section, focusing on developing Kien Giang towards a national blue marine economic hub, with expert contributions from government agencies, international organizations, research institutes, universities, and the business sector. The speakers not only shared research findings and practical applications but also demonstrated a spirit of knowledge exchange and experience sharing in areas such as management, technology transfer, socio-economic transformation, climate change adaptation, and high-quality human resource development for the region. Notably, the insights and recommendations presented emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary and intersectoral collaboration in regional development, the need to formulate long-term strategies, innovate governance models, and enhance local capacities.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Tho - The Institute of Strategy, Policy for Agriculture and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, delivered a presentation on the topic “Vietnam's Marine Economic Development Strategy”
Dr. Tran Dinh Luan - Director General, Directorate of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment delivered a presentation on the topic “Aquaculture and Fisheries: A Driving Force for Marine Economic Development”
Assistant Prof. Dr. Te-Hua Hsu - National Taiwan Ocean University (Taiwan), delivered a presentation on the topic “Challenges and Sustainable Transformation in Small-Scale Aquaculture: A Perspective from Taiwan”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ha Thi Ngoc Oanh - Vietnam Association for Logistics Manpower Development (VALOMA), delivered a presentation on the topic “Maritime Transport and Logistics: New Opportunities for Marine Economic Development in the Mekong Delta”
Assoc. Prof. Nakada Tatsuya - Faculty of Marine Sciences, Kobe University (Japan) delivered a presentation on the topic “Marine Economic Development: International Perspectives”
Mr. Pham Duc Huy - Deputy General Director, Sun Group - Southern Region, delivered a presentation on the topic “Marine Tourism towards Green and Sustainable Development”
Ar. YEW Hung Seng - Swan & Maclaren Group (Singapore) delivered a presentation on the topic “Sustainable Landscape Architecture and Smart City in Development of Marine Economy”
Mr. Le Huu Toan – Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Kien Giang Province (left), and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Luu Thanh Duc Hai – Vice Rector of the School of Economics, CTU (right), delivered a presentation on the topic “Current Status and Development Strategies of Marine Economy in Kien Giang”
The discussion session among ministries, local authorities, research institutes, universities, and enterprises on developing Kien Giang into a national marine economic hub featured valuable insights and contributions from participating delegates. These covered a wide range of areas including: marine environment and resources; aquaculture, exploitation, and seafood processing; marine biotechnology; maritime transport and logistics; new energy; marine tourism; research, application of science and technology, and digital transformation in marine economic development; planning, management, and policy for marine economic development; human resources for the marine economy; and multi-stakeholder collaboration in developing the marine economy.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phuong and Mr. Giang Thanh Khoa co-chaired the discussion session
Discussion session among ministries, local authorities, research institutes, universities, and enterprises on developing Kien Giang into a national marine economic hub
As part of the program, CTU and Sun Phu Quoc Co., Ltd. (Sun Group – Southern Region) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a new milestone in the partnership between the two parties. This collaboration stands as a concrete step toward realizing CTU’s development strategy, which is oriented toward innovation, integration, and community service in the new era.
Prof. Dr. Tran Ngoc Hai – Vice Rector of CTU (right) and Mr. Pham Duc Huy – Deputy General Director, Sun Group - Southern Region (left) signed a MoU
In addition, to encourage and support students, Sun Group – Southern Region has decided to offer a scholarship worth 50 million VND to a student of CTU
With over 700 kilometers of coastline and a strategic geographical location, the Mekong Delta is facing both great opportunities and challenges in pursuing sustainable marine economic development. Through the 11th Quarterly SDMD Dialogue in 2025, CTU successfully brought together ministries, agencies, enterprises, and domestic and international experts to discuss, orient, and propose concrete solutions for this new phase, transforming vision into action and potential into real development momentum. The success of the dialogue reaffirmed the pioneering role of CTU and the People's Committee of Kien Giang Province in connecting knowledge, promoting policy dialogue, advancing academic value, and supporting localities in their strategies for marine economic development aligned with sustainability and climate resilience.
Commemorative Photo
Over the past 59 years of establishment and development, through continuous efforts, CTU has grown into a key center for education, scientific research, and technology transfer in the Mekong Delta and the country as a whole. The Ministry of Education and Training has also recognized CTU as one of 13 leading higher education institutions tasked with spearheading centers of excellence and talent in technology. To date, CTU has trained over 220,000 engineers and bachelor's degree holders, more than 10,000 master's degree graduates, and over 200 PhDs across various critical fields.
CTU is firmly committed to making even more effective contributions by leveraging its internal resources and existing advantages, taking the lead in training high-quality human resources to serve the country’s comprehensive development, international integration, and advancement into an "era of national rise." CTU will continue to be an indispensable link in the chain of economic - cultural - social activities in each locality and throughout the Mekong Delta region.
(Website Editorial Board)
