International Conference on Business and Finance 2025 (ICBF 2025): A Global Academic Forum Connecting Economics and Finance

02 Dec, 2025

From December 1-2, 2025, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), in collaboration with domestic and international partners, hosted the International Conference on Business and Finance 2025 (ICBF 2025) in a hybrid format. The event brought together leading international experts, creating a platform for in-depth knowledge exchange and promoting global research integration.

Following the success of previous conferences, ICBF 2025 centered its research focus on sustainable development, particularly in the context of climate change, energy transition, and rising economic-environmental risks. The conference facilitated discussions and analyses of contemporary issues and challenges in core fields such as Economics, Management, Finance, Banking, Accounting, Business, Law, Tourism, and Marketing, with a special emphasis on Sustainable Development.

From UEH, the conference was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung – UEH Interim President; Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh – Chairman of the Science and Training Council; along with leaders of member colleges, departments, schools, and institutes.

The keynote speakers included: Prof. Jonathan A. Batten – Co-Editor-in-Chief of Finance Research Letters, RMIT University (Australia); Prof. Gary A. Campbell – Former Editor-in-Chief of Resources Policy, Michigan Technological University (USA); Prof. Sung Y. Park – Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Economic Development, Chung-Ang University (South Korea); Prof. Tao Chen – Associate Editor of Financial Management and the Journal of Business Research, Nanyang Technological University (Singapore); Prof. Abhijit Sharma – University of Huddersfield (UK); and Prof. Evan Lau Poh Hock – Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Malaysia.

Speaking at ICBF 2025, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung – UEH Interim President, emphasized: "The International Conference on Business and Finance 2025 (ICBF 2025) is not only a forum for knowledge exchange but also a strategic academic activity aligned with UEH's orientation to elevate research and international integration in the new era. In a world undergoing profound shifts due to economic, technological, and environmental changes, higher education institutions are expected not only to train high-quality human resources but also to proactively generate new knowledge through research, drive innovation, and provide scientific foundations for policymaking. The research findings and expert discussions at ICBF 2025 will serve as a key reference source, making a tangible contribution to the advancement of economic and financial sciences while supporting policymakers and businesses in developing sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges."

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung affirming the conference's crucial role in promoting UEH's international academic engagement

The papers presented at ICBF 2025 focused on pressing research areas such as financing the energy transition; ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) and sustainable corporate governance; the impact of digital technology, AI, and FinTech in finance; the link between innovation and economic growth; and the legal and policy frameworks for a green economy. These are also the strategic research directions that UEH and the Institute of Business Research (IBR) are focusing on for the 2025-2030 period.

Prof. Dr. Vo Xuan Vinh – Dean of the Institute of Business Research, providing an overview of the conference

On the first day, the conference featured several outstanding presentations from international and domestic speakers.

Prof. Jonathan Batten opened with a presentation on "Digital Transformation and the Reshaping of Corporate Risk Management," clarifying how digital transformation is reshaping traditional corporate risk management models and offering practical insights for managers and researchers in a constantly fluctuating business environment.

Prof. Evan Lau Poh Hock presented his research on "Data and Our Future," exploring the potential of big data and advanced analytics in forecasting and modeling economic and financial phenomena, an important direction for applied Economics and Finance.

In the presentation on "Sustainable Finance: ESG Criteria and ESG Investment Models," Prof. Tao Chen provided a systematic perspective on the global shift towards sustainable finance and the increasingly pivotal role of ESG in modern investment strategies.

Prof. Gary A. Campbell, addressing the topic "Securing By-product Metal Supplies for the Renewable Energy Transition," offered an in-depth analysis of the supply capacity for essential by-product metals, emphasizing the importance of enhancing recycling, finding new supply sources, and improving efficiency through technological innovation.

International and domestic speakers delivering their presentations

As part of the conference, a "Meet the Editors" session was held, connecting researchers with the editorial teams of leading ISI/Scopus-indexed academic journals. The session featured the Editors-in-Chief of the Journal of Economics and Development (JED), the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Economics and Management Law, along with Associate Editors from Financial Management (FM) and the Journal of Business Research (JBR).

Discussion and Q&A session between speakers and delegates

The exchanges provided valuable insights into the scientific peer-review process, international academic standards, and strategies for improving publication success. This was an essential opportunity for scholars, especially young researchers, to refine their methodologies and enhance the quality of their papers to meet international standards.

Delegates took a commemorative photo

With its scale, research quality, and the extensive participation of the international academic community, the International Conference on Business and Finance 2025 (ICBF 2025) has affirmed UEH's solid position as a leading research center that proactively contributes to global economic and financial issues. The conference not only fostered knowledge exchange and expanded cooperation networks but also significantly enhanced the quality of research and the academic reputation of Vietnam on the international stage.

About the Annual ICBF International Conference

Each year, the annual ICBF International Conference attracts over 200 research papers, with more than 100 selected for publication in the proceedings and for presentation. The keynote speakers are prestigious professors and PhDs from renowned universities worldwide.

Following the success of the 2024 conference, ICBF 2025 was co-organized by the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH, CFVG, ISB, IBR), along with co-organizing units: the University of Lincoln (UK), and Nanyang Technological University (NTU, Singapore). The event was sponsored by Chung-Ang University and Binh Duong University.

ICBF 2025 provides an opportunity for domestic and international scientists and researchers to share ideas and research on issues related to Economics, Finance, Accounting, Business, and Law. The conference gathered many reputable scientists and researchers from famous universities worldwide. Papers approved by the conference will have the opportunity to be published in major, prestigious ISI/Scopus-indexed journals.

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