The 2nd SDMD International Forum 2024: A Milestone and New Foundation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong Delta

Significant Achievements in the First Two Years of SDMD 2045 Implementation

The Sustainable Development of the Mekong Delta Forum, Outlook 2045 (SDMD 2045), is a large-scale initiative founded and led by Can Tho University (CTU) under the direction of the Government. The Forum aims to gather knowledge and experience from stakeholders within and outside Vietnam to analyze the current situation, forecast trends, and propose strategic directions, policies, and solutions for the government, localities, and agencies. It also seeks to foster cooperation in developing and implementing practical programs and projects that contribute to the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta. The Forum features a variety of activities, including quarterly seminars and a biennial international forum, addressing critical, timely, and core issues that impact the region’s sustainable development.

Since its inception in 2022, the SDMD Forum has achieved notable successes, including:

1. Hosting the International Forum: The inaugural international forum, themed “Science and Technology: Driving Forces for Innovation and Sustainable Development” (SDMD 2022), featured 13 presentations by eight experts and attracted over 600 participants, including central and local leaders, scientists, entrepreneurs, and international organizations.

2. Organizing ten quarterly online dialogues: Topics covered included i) Agriculture, ii) Aquaculture, iii) Environment and Climate Change, iv) Digital Transformation, v) Education, vi) Innovation and Startups, vii) Culture, Socio-Economics and Humanities, xiii) Engineering and Information Technology in Industrialization and Modernization, ix) Food Technology, x) Community Health Care. The quarterly online dialogues featured 50 presentations and engaged hundreds of online attendees.

3. Developing and implementing Over 20 large-scale international projects: These projects have been conducted across various localities in the Mekong Delta. Project activities include introducing technical demonstration models and providing extensive training for management staff, technicians, businesses, farmers, and youth.

4. Building an information network, data system, and the SDMD 2045 website, featuring diverse content to support development efforts in the Mekong Delta.

5. Publishing primary materials for the Forum: (i) Comprehensive reports on Mekong Delta human resources and the role of CTU, (ii) The current state and development directions for agriculture in Mekong Delta region, (iii) Engineering and IT in the region’s industrialization and modernization, (iv) The Mekong Delta's socio-economic, cultural, and innovative aspects in the new context, (v) Scientific Journals – Special Issues on SDMD 2022 and SDMD 2024, (vi) Proceedings of the SDMD 2022 and SDMD 2024 Forums, (vii) 80 technological processes and 133 training programs for regional development.

6. Media and outreach statistics (as of September 25, 2024): 322 news articles published on websites (219 in Vietnamese, 103 in English); 77 video clips on YouTube; 75 posts on Facebook; 96,347 views on the SDMD 2045 website (60,591 in Vietnamese and 35,756 in English); 4,250 Google search results for "SDMD 2045."

7. Establishing partnerships: Through the Forum and the quarterly online dialogues, over 20 agreements have been signed with domestic and international agencies, research institutes, universities, and enterprises.

8. Publishing policy recommendations: One SDMD 2022 Forum Summary Report and ten policy recommendation groups based on seminar topics have been submitted to the Government and relevant authorities.

9. The 2nd SDMD International Forum 2024 will continue with the Can Tho City People’s Committee co-chairing and the support of Mekong Delta provinces and cities.

10. Nearly 1,000 individuals participated in surveys assessing SDMD 2045’s activities and impacts, yielding highly positive results. These outcomes provide a strong foundation and motivation for expanding SDMD activities in the future.

The 2nd SDMD International Forum 2024: Unity for the Shared Development of the Mekong Delta

Building on the success of the SDMD International Forum 2022, CTU, in collaboration with the People’s Committee of Can Tho City, will host the 2nd SDMD International Forum 2024 under the theme “Industrialization - Modernization: Driving Force for Sustainable Development of the Mekong Delta” on November 29, 2024. The program will be live-streamed on the SDMD 2045 Fanpage, CTU’s Fanpage, and Can Tho City Television.

Overview of the 2nd SDMD International Forum 20244

The Forum brought together representatives from the Government and Ministries, including the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Education and Training, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as a former Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Science and Technology (former Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Foreign Affairs). From Can Tho City, the Forum welcomed representatives from the People’s Committee, local departments, agencies, public security forces, and organizations. Also in attendance were leaders from the People’s Committees, departments, and agencies of 12 Mekong Delta provinces and Ho Chi Minh City. CTU was represented by members of the Board of Trustees, Party Committee, Board of Rectors, leaders, and representatives from relevant units. International participation included representatives from the Consulate General of the Republic of Singapore, the Australian Consulate General, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Ho Chi Minh City, the Australian Embassy in Hanoi, and the Italian Embassy. Global organizations present included the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), the Stockholm Environment Institute Asia, Winrock International, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Chen-Yung Foundation in Vietnam, FCC Partners Inc. (Taiwan), Swan & Maclaren Architects (Singapore), nearly 20 international corporations, over 70 domestic corporations and enterprises attended the Forum. The event also featured participation from more than 40 domestic and international academic institutions, over 400 experts and scientists, along with the Forum’s sponsors. Media coverage included more than 30 press agencies from Can Tho City, the Mekong Delta region, and central agencies. The Forum attracted over 8,000 views and engagements on social network platforms.

Delegates at the Forum

In his opening remarks, Mr. Duong Tan Hien - Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City, shared: “The SDMD International Forum, organized biennially by CTU and quarterly online dialogues, has yielded significant and continuous results over the past two years. This Forum integrates dynamic domestic and international cooperative activities to contribute to the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta and global integration toward 2045. Sustainable development is not the responsibility of any single entity but a shared duty of every individual. We must cooperate to protect the environment, grow the economy, and build a fair and civilized society. I believe that with solidarity and cooperation, we will achieve great outcomes.”

Mr. Duong Tan Hien, in his opening remarks

This year’s SDMD International Forum 2024, held over two days on November 29-30, 2024, featured eight presentations by domestic experts and six by international experts. These sessions provided insights and proposals surrounding the theme “Industrialization and Modernization: Driving Force for Sustainable Development of the Mekong Delta.” Notably, global specialists and top regional enterprises shared experiences on industrialization and modernization across various fields related to sustainable development, such as modern agriculture, agricultural mechanization, rice production chains, logistics workforce development, the semiconductor industry, and smart cities. These topics sparked active discussions among stakeholders.

The Forum emphasized the urgency of achieving strategic goals outlined in “Resolution 29-NQ/TW”, which identifies industrialization and modernization as central to Vietnam's socio-economic development strategy. The resolution aims for Vietnam to become a modern industrialized nation with upper-middle-income status by 2030 and a high-income developed nation by 2045. It stresses a comprehensive transformation of the economy and society through science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, and manufacturing to enhance competitiveness and sustainable growth.

Numerous studies and articles were compiled into 12 special publications, including books, scientific journals, and conference proceedings to serve the Forum and the community. These publications showcased new technologies and organized training programs to benefit the community. Additionally, field visits to agricultural, industrial, and environmental models in Tra Vinh Province and Can Tho City enhanced the practicality and comprehensiveness of the Forum.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thinh - Deputy Director of the Local Industry Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade, presented on “Industrialization and Modernization of the Mekong Delta: Development Directions.”

Dr. Tran Thanh Hung - Vice Rector of the College of Engineering, CTU, discussed “Industrialization and Modernization of the Mekong Delta: Current Situation and Recommendations”

Mr. Tran Minh Kiet - Deputy Director of Can Tho Department of Industry and Trade, presented “Promoting Industrialization and Modernization in Can Tho City as a Regional Growth Driver”

Mr. Yuichi Sugano, Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam, and Ms. Dana Julia Loew, Director of GIZ’s Climate Change Adaptation Program, provided an “International Perspective on Industrialization and Modernization in the Mekong Delta”

Ms. Vo Thi Thu Huong, Deputy Director of VCCI Can Tho, and Mr. Le Van Quang, Chairman of Minh Phu Seafood Corporation, offered “Enterprise Perspectives on the Industrialization and Modernization of the Mekong Delta”

 A highlight of the Forum was the Declaration of Partnership with the SDMD International Forum 2045, signed by 13 Mekong Delta provinces/cities and CTU. This landmark event laid a strong foundation for the SDMD Forum's activities and the region's development. Notably, 13 Mekong Delta provinces/cities agreed that the SDMD Forum would be rotated biennially among the 13 provinces/cities and co-hosted by CTU and the respective locality.

Additionally, CTU signed cooperation agreements with the Can Tho People’s Committee and two enterprises: Asia Ingredients Group (AIG) and the National Innovation Center (NIC). These agreements signified commitments to leverage strengths, address mutual development needs, and promote multi-party collaboration among localities, universities, and businesses.

CTU and the provinces/cities in the Mekong Delta region pledge to cooperate and align efforts toward the goals, orientations, development strategies of the SDMD International Forum, outlook 2045

CTU signed a cooperation agreement with the People's Committee of Can Tho City and businesses

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Trung Tinh - Rector of CTU delivered the concluding remarks for the Forum

Meritorious teacher, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Phuong - Chair of CTU Board of Trustees, chaired the “Expert Roundtable” session

Dr. Nguyen Nguyen Minh - representative of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), presented a report and introduced the mission, vision, and development direction of CSIRO

Prof. Mikio Umeda - Executive Advisor of Yanmar (Japan), delivered a report on "Developing Agricultural Mechanization and Related Issues: Experiences from Japan

Mr. Pham Thai Binh - Chairman of the Board and Deputy General Director of Trung An Hi-Tech Agriculture Joint Stock Company, presented on "Developing the Production, Processing, Distribution, and Export Chain of Rice in the Mekong Delta in the New Context"

Dr. Ha Minh Hieu - Deputy Head of the Communications Department, representing the Vietnam Association for Logistics Manpower Development, presented a report on "Developing Logistics in the Mekong Delta and Related Issues"

Mr. Huang Chi-Yuan - Chairman of FCC Partners Inc. (Taiwan) and Co-founder of the Southeast Asia Influence Alliance (SIA), delivered on "Semiconductor Ecosystems and AI in Taiwan: Potential for Collaboration with Vietnam"

Mr. Yen Hung Seng - Director of Swan and Maclaren Architects (Singapore), presented on "Smart Urban Development and Related Issues: Experiences from Singapore"

Professor Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Tran, former Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Science and Technology, Chairman of the National Program "Comprehensive Basic Research on the Mekong Delta (60-B)" (1983-1990), and former Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee, emphasized the necessity and timeliness of the SDMD Forum, outlook 2045

“Expert Roundtable” Session

Participants engaged in discussions and provided valuable contributions

In his concluding remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Trung Tinh - Rector of CTU, highlighted the foundational achievements of SDMD 2045, future opportunities and challenges, and key recommendations from SDMD 2024. He emphasized: "Building on the Forum’s results, CTU is committed to leveraging its resources and advantages to advance the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta region. Regarding industrialization and modernization, CTU pledges to lead in training high-quality, multidisciplinary human resources, prioritizing fields that directly support these processes regionally and nationally. CTU’s modern facilities will be utilized effectively through cooperative mechanisms to deliver value to localities and communities. CTU will remain an indispensable link in the region's economic, cultural, and social activities, as well as in the development of each locality."

Group photo

Through the 2nd SDMD International Forum 2024, CTU successfully connected agencies, organizations, businesses, and experts from both domestic and international spheres to discuss, strategize, and propose solutions for sustainable industrialization and modernization in the Mekong Delta. Moreover, the Forum was a vital bridge, fostering stakeholder collaboration, opening numerous international partnerships and technology transfer opportunities, and advancing shared prosperity. It also mobilized investment resources in the region's key sectors, particularly in the context of global economic integration and the challenges posed by climate change. The success of the Forum affirmed the pioneering role of CTU and Can Tho City in bridging knowledge, supporting local communities, and driving development in the region.

Some photos from the field trips in Tra Vinh Province and Can Tho City on November 30, 2024:

(Website Editorial Board)