As Vietnam intensifies its transition toward a climate-resilient and sustainable economy, EfD Vietnam continues to foster high-level engagement with the World Bank. Building on past collaborations, two recent events in June 2025 — a seminar on green growth and a high-level workshop on the marine economy — demonstrate the growing impact of this partnership in advancing evidence-based environmental policy.
EfD Vietnam hosted a seminar titled “Vietnam’s Pathways to a Resilient and Sustainable Future” at UEH University on June 19, 2025, featuring a team of World Bank economists. The event focused on the latest findings from the World Bank’s new report, “Viet Nam 2045: Growing Greener,” and explored strategies for balancing economic growth with climate commitments.
Climate investments pay off
Vietnam currently ranks among the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, facing significant risks from floods, sea level rise, and environmental degradation. The seminar highlighted the economic rationale for investment in adaptation, with benefit-to-cost ratios as high as 14.7. It emphasized cross-sector strategies in green infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, and urban resilience.
“This was a great opportunity to exchange on the challenges and opportunities facing Viet Nam, and the right policies to support the country’s transition to a sustainable high-income economy,” said Dorsati Madani, Senior Country Economist at the World Bank.
The seminar also explored the role of the private sector, carbon pricing, and Vietnam's potential to become a regional leader in renewable energy and green exports.
Marine economy at the center of high-level dialogue
Just a week later, on June 25, 2025, EfD Vietnam participated in the World Bank’s high-level workshop in Hanoi to launch its landmark report “Boosting Viet Nam’s Sustainable Marine Economy – A Public Expenditure and Investment Review.” The report — the first of its kind globally — provides a comprehensive analysis of public spending in Vietnam’s marine economy from 2016 to 2022, presented by Muthukumara Mani, Lead Environmental and Climate Change Economist at the World Bank.
Ho Quoc Thong, EfD Research Fellow and BlueRforD Coordinator, joined as a panelist, offering insights into marine governance, data systems, and cross-sector policy coordination.
“Sustainable marine development requires inclusive governance, stronger ocean data systems, and better alignment among sectors like fisheries, conservation, and energy,” Thong emphasized during the discussion.
He also called for transparent investment practices, participatory spatial planning, and greater involvement of local communities and the private sector in shaping blue economy strategies.
A growing partnership for impact
These events reflect the continued momentum in the partnership with the World Bank, built on previous joint efforts, including the CGE climate modeling training and the Green Growth Workshop held in late 2024 and early 2025.
“We are very grateful to our great counterparts for hosting us and for the large turnout, significant interest, and insightful policy exchanges,” said Dorsati Madani in a reflection on the recent engagements.
With further technical sessions and policy roundtables expected in the coming months, EfD Vietnam remains committed to advancing Vietnam’s green transition through interdisciplinary research, policy dialogue, and capacity building.
by Nhan Le & Thong Ho