Brian Jeffrey
The establishment of the center within the World Economic Forum’s network is a significant step forward for Vietnam, demonstrating its dedication to global industrial advancements and enhancing its technological and scientific capabilities for sustainable growth.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh officially opened the C4IR Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of September 25, located in the High-Tech Park in Thu Duc City.
This inauguration was part of the 2024 Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum, which focused on “Industrial Transformation: A New Momentum for Sustainable Development in HCMC.”
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Nguyen Van Nen, the Secretary of the HCMC Party Committee, Phan Van Mai, Chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee, along with various ministers, agency leaders, and representatives from both the World Economic Forum and Malaysia’s C4IR center.
The C4IR in Ho Chi Minh City is the second of its kind in Southeast Asia, following Malaysia, and is the 19th center globally associated with the World Economic Forum, having commenced operations on September 24, 2024.
Following the ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh engaged with the founding members of C4IR in Ho Chi Minh City.
He commended the collaborative efforts between the WEF and the Vietnamese government, viewing the C4IR in HCMC as a testament to their deepening partnership.
The Prime Minister recognized the dedication of the HCMC People’s Committee’s leaders and expressed gratitude towards WEF leaders, especially Professor Klaus Schwab, the WEF founder, alongside the founding partners who aided in establishing C4IR in HCMC.
Prime Minister Outlines Six Key Significances
1. Realizing Party Directives: Implementing Party policies regarding science, technology, and innovation while leveraging advancements from the fourth industrial revolution to promote industrialization and modernization, according to the 13th Party Congress resolutions.
2. Addressing Objectives: Responding to the actual developmental needs of the nation.
3. Enhancing Integration: Promoting deeper integration in science, technology, and innovation while participating in the global industrial revolution.
4. Highlighting HCMC’s Leadership: Positioning Ho Chi Minh City as a leader in economics, finance, culture, education, science, technology, and innovation, both nationally and regionally.
5. Showcasing National Pride: Embodying the nation’s aspirations and pride, reinforcing the Vietnamese people’s intelligence, resilience, and innovative spirit.
6. Strengthening Ties with WEF: Reinforcing the dedicated partnership between Vietnam and the WEF through practical implementations.
The Prime Minister stressed the necessity for the center to function efficiently, enhance its capabilities, and reiterated the government’s role in guiding, policy-making, and creating favorable conditions for the center’s achievements.
He expressed hope and trust in C4IR in HCMC, stating: “Pioneering, cooperating, connecting, digitalizing, greening, practical, effective, spreading, for the country, for the people.”
The center comprises ten founding members, including the National University of Ho Chi Minh City, the Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Park, Saigon University of Technology, Viettel Group, Sovico Group, and CMC Corporation.
C4IR in HCMC is set to be a center for collaborative research, policy development, resource mobilization, and technology exchange in industrial transformation, operating independently under the oversight of the HCMC People’s Committee.
Anh Phuong – Ho Van
