UEH News

National Conference 2024: “Public Finance Policy for Climate Change Adaptation"

National Conference 2024: “Public Finance Policy for Climate Change Adaptation"

11 Nov, 2024

On November 8, 2024, CELG (UEH College of Economics, Law and Government) - a Member College of University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) - coordinated with the Academy of Finance, Institute of Strategy and Fiscal Policy and School of Economics, Nha Trang University in successfully organizing the 2024 National Conference with the theme “Public Finance Policy for Climate Change Adaptation”. This is an important forum for experts to share knowledge, experience and new initiatives to provide policy implications for public finance policy responses towards adapting to climate change.

Climate change is increasingly challenging the global socio-economy. The consequences of climate change have been causing numerous difficulties for economic activities in various parts of the world. National governments and international organizations are promoting action programs to help countries and territories cope with the unpredictable changes of climate change and its consequences. Thanks to these action programs, the need for resources to ensure that policies are effectively implemented is essential. Many countries have officially implemented fiscal policies to adapt to climate change; on the other hand, many countries do not completely pay attention to this issue for diverse reasons. For countries implementing fiscal policies to adapt to climate change, there have been uncountable difficulties in forecasting, allocating resources, choosing public policy priorities and so on. In addition, to implement fiscal policies regarding climate change adaptation effectively, it, sometimes, requires changes to budget processes, the stakeholders’ roles, and the analytical and forecasting capacities of specialized agencies. This policy requires support from the community to maximize resources and to change community awareness to contribute to mitigating environmental consequences from daily activities. Nevertheless, the reality indicates that these policies which are not easy to implement in the short term are not only the sole responsibility of the governments; actually, this requires the development of totally careful and sustainable plans and strategies from community contributions.

Be absolutely aware of the importance and the role of Public Finance policy in adapting to climate change, CELG (UEH College of Economics, Law and Government), University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), Institute of Strategy and Fiscal Policy and School of Economics, Nha Trang University jointly organized the 2024 National Conference with the theme “Public Finance Policy for Climate Change Adaptation”.

Overview of the National Conference 2024

Speaking at the opening of the conference, Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh - President of University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) - emphasized: “Climate change is one of the biggest challenges towards sustainable development at the global scale. Adapting and mitigating the impacts of climate change requires not only changes in technology and environmental management but also adjustments in public financial policies to mobilize resources effectively in the most effective way. Not only is it a tool for mobilizing and allocating resources, public policy is also an important factor to regulate and to support economic activities towards sustainable development. With this goal, the workshop on “Public finance policy for climate change adaptation” has received widespread attention from the academic and the expert community since we have been calling for submissions since September 01, 2024. Up to the current time, the conference has received more than 70 research articles from diverse universities and different organizations, in which 57 articles have been carefully selected for presentation at this conference. Through this conference, we hope that each presentation and each discussion will shed more light on the ways in which public finance policy can perform and should contribute to climate change adaptation. Together we do explore, discuss, and propose innovative solutions, leading the way in building a more sustainable future for the current and future generations.”

Prof. Dr. Su Dinh Thanh delivering the opening speech at the conference

Within the framework of the conference, those experts shared knowledge, experience and new initiatives to contribute to providing scientific evidence for policymakers to bring in policy implications on public finance policies for climate change adaptation. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Khanh Nam - Rector of UEH-CELG - presented the paper “Carbon sovereignty and Vietnam’s climate finance policy”. Clarifying the carbon market is recognized as an important policy tool for Vietnam to achieve our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions under our Nationally Determined Contribution and the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. In addition, this article concludes that carbon sovereignty is a key approach towards building a carbon market, helping to optimize economic opportunities from carbon transactions, to protect national interests in international negotiations and to attract long-term climate finance.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Khanh Nam - Rector of UEH-CELG - presenting the paper “Carbon sovereignty and Vietnam’s climate finance policy”

Dr. Le Thi Thuy Van - Deputy Director of the Institute of Strategy and Financial Policy (Ministry of Finance) - presented the paper titled “Financial policy to respond to climate change in Vietnam”. This article analyzes the impacts of climate change and the need to mobilize financial resources in responding to climate change. Through analyzing Vietnam’s financial policies to respond to climate change over the past period, this article has identified the current challenges and difficulties, from which to propose solutions to help minimize these consequences of climate change in the future.

Dr. Le Thi Thuy Van - Deputy Director of the Institute of Strategy and Financial Policy (Ministry of Finance) - presented the paper “Financial policy to respond to climate change in Vietnam”

In addition to the 2 plenary sessions, other 57 selected research articles presented in 13 parallel discussion sessions on important global topics created the opportunities for researchers to expand their professional knowledge, share and contribute academic values ​​on public finance policy towards climate change adaptation. Concurrently, this is an opportunity to establish relationships with experts with similar interests in the research field. The National Conference 2024 provides a valuable networking opportunity, as one forum through which researchers exchange ideas and construct academic relationships with each other, build an academic community, connect and spread knowledge. This event greatly benefits young researchers to enhance their knowledge, to interact with a wide range of experts and to explore potential avenues in their academic careers.

Delegates taking souvenir phot

Being the Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Khanh Nam - Rector of UEH-CELG - stated: “The 2024 National Conference with the topic “Public finance policy to adapt to climate change” - a scientific forum for experts and research scientists – does contribute to developing solutions for those developing countries in the context of climate change that has been becoming increasingly severe globally.  This year's Conference presentations highlight diverse perspectives and expertise in the fields of financial policy, climate change, environmental sustainability, renewable energy and related legal frameworks. With many experts and researchers from universities across the countries participating, the National Conference 2024 hopes to improve our understanding regarding the role of policy response to adapt to climate change in this contemporary economic development. Attendees will gain academic and policy insights into future sustainable economic development and governance.”

Additional images at the Conference:

Overview of the conference

Prof.Dr. Su Dinh Thanh and Assoc. Prof. PhD. Pham Khanh Nam and Assoc. Prof. PhD. Diep Gia Luat presenting flowers to the speaker

The author presenting the topic: Climate change adaptation policy by Dr. Doan Vu Nguyen chairing the discussion session

The author presenting the topic: Climate change adaptation finance by Assoc. Prof. PhD. Bui Thi Mai Hoai in discussion section

The author presenting the topic: Climate change adaptation finance by Assoc. Prof. PhD. Bui Thi Mai Hoai in discussion session

The author presenting the topic: Climate change adaptation policy by Dr. Doan Vu Nguyen chairing the discussion session

The author presenting the topic: Climate change adaptation policy by Dr. Tran Thi Tuan Anh chairing the discussion session

The author presenting the topic: Climate change adaptation finance by Assoc. Prof. PhD. Bui Thi Mai Hoai chairing the discussion session

Participants and Authors discussing the topic: Financial tools for climate change by Dr. Nguyen Kim Quyen chairing the discussion session

Participants and Author discussing the topic: Financial risk management for climate change adaptation by Dr. Le Quang Cuong chairing the discussion session

The author presenting the topic: Public policy to adapt to climate change by Dr. Pham Thai Binh chairing the discussion session

Assoc. Prof. PhD. Dang Van Cuong chairing the discussion session on the topic: Sustainable development policy

The author presenting the topic: Economics of climate change by Dr. Bui Thanh Trung chairing the discussion session

Dr. Nguyen Phuc Canh chairing the discussion session on the topic: Climate financial governance

Dr. Tran Trung Kien chairing the discussion session on the topic: Climate financial governance

Assoc. Prof. PhD. Ly Phuong Duyen chairing the discussion session on the topic: Climate financial management

Delegates and attendees taking souvenir photos at parallel discussion sessions

 

News and photos: Conference organizers, CELG Office, UEH Department of Communications and Partnership