WEBINAR SERIES HOSTED BY THE VIET NAM CIRCULAR ECONOMY HUB
I. BACKGROUND
In the context of Viet Nam’s commitment to pursue a green growth pathway that includes the transition towards Circular Economy, UNDP Viet Nam and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) launched the Viet Nam Circular Economy Hub (CE Hub). The CE Hub aims to enhance dialogue, generate know-how, and mobilise collective action towards the CE transition by engaging and building the capacity of all stakeholders, including of businesses, creating synergies and integrating financial and technical resources.
CE Hub first held a webinar titled “Exploring the linkages between Circular Economy and Trade” in 2021, and later launched a webinar series called “Unleashed Circularity for a Sustainable Viet Nam” in June 2023 with the aim to
- increase knowledge and raise awareness about the CE transition in Viet Nam;
- provide a space for policymakers, businesses, development practitioners and civil society organisations to share and exchange their vision, knowledge, and best practices.
The webinar series achieved certain successes in notable successes in promoting awareness and understanding of the CE transition in Vietnam, with active participation and engagement observed from nonprofits and academia. However, the representation of private sector attendees remained limited.
During the developmental phase of the CE Hub, a survey revealed enterprises expressed a strong demand for enhanced connections within the business community for industrial symbiosis, comprehensive understanding of CE-related regulations, and knowledge about the cutting-edge technologies and trends in their sectors.
Therefore, in order to enhance business participation and engagement, and building upon the aforementioned insights, the webinar series will have a renewed focus this cycle. It will serve as a platform for pioneers to showcase their circular initiatives, businesses to gain insights from their peers and policymakers regarding lessons learnt, emerging regulations, new technologies. Additionally, the webinar will partly foster collaboration among enterprises and networks, offering them opportunities to exchange resources, materials, waste, and services.
II. OBJECTIVES
The second cycle of the series organized by the Viet Nam Circular Economy Hub aims to:
- Showcase inspiring stories from pioneers of the CE transition in Viet Nam and promote the adoption and application of green, circular, and innovative technologies and CE principles in business;
- Provide a space for businesses to learn from their peers and from policymakers about the new regulations, incentive mechanisms, criteria, national and sectoral roadmaps, and to promote their business models to other enterprises;
- Facilitate dialogue and collaboration with a view to foster opportunities between enterprises to exchange resources, materials, waste, and services, aiming to close the material loop for a circular economy.
III. AUDIENCE AND FORMAT
The webinars will take place in Vietnamese and English languages simultaneous translation. They are open to everyone interested in discussing and engaging in possible future joint activities in support of the CE transition in Viet Nam. The outcomes of the sessions will be curated and synthesized into open-source publications to serve as case studies and help design new and transformative partnerships.
Target audience
- Vietnamese and international businesses operating in Viet Nam
- Social Enterprises engaged in circular economy
- Business Associations
- Policymakers at the national and provincial levels
- Academia and experts (when relevant)
Tentative agenda
Depending on the number of presentations in each session (3 – 4), the duration of the webinar can fall within the range of 1.5 to 2 hours. The tentative agenda for a 1.5-hour webinar is as follows:
| Time | Content |
| 14:00 – 14:05 | Opening and welcome (5 mins) |
| 14:05 – 14:15 | Keynote address (10 mins) |
| 14:15 – 14:45 | Short presentation (30 mins)
Speakers to provide · the latest updates on regulations, incentives, predominant Circular Economy strategies, or notable best practices specific to the sector. · highlights their innovative circular initiatives, programs, products, and services. · Introduction to their technology solutions aimed at addressing sector-specific challenges. |
| 14:45 – 14:55 | Virtual networking activity (10 mins) |
| 14:55 – 15:25 | Q&A session (30 mins) |
| 15:25 – 15:30 | Closing remarks (5 mins) |
IV. CONTENTS
Webinar #4: Sustainable packaging in the F&B industry
Date: 7 September 2023 Time: 14:00 – 16:00 ICT
Guest speakers:
- “Eco-design and its application to F&B Packaging” – Do Hong Long, Director Center for Creativity and Sustainability
- “Approaches for businesses towards reducing single-use packaging in F&B” – Lucy Eggleston, Senior Consultant, Eunomia
- “World without waste with 3 pillars: Design, Collect and Partner “ – Bui Dang Duyen Mai, Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability, Coca Cola Viet Nam and Cambodia
- “Innovative oxygen barrier coating technology to enable recyclable flexible packaging” – Chemicals (SCGC)
Webinar #5: PROs worldwide and the path to effective EPR implementation in Viet Nam (Special edition)
Date: 20 September 2023 Time: 14:00 – 16:30 ICT
Guest speakers:
- “Introduction of PRO to support EPR implementation in Germany & Key suggestion for effective EPR Implementation in Viet Nam” – Fritz Flanderka, Managing Director, Reclay Group, Germany
- “Introduction of PRO to support EPR implementation in Korea” – Kim Sang Hoon, President, Korea Resource Circulation Service Agency (KORA)
- “Introduction of PRO to support EPR implementation in Norway” – Jaana Røine, CEO, Greendot Norway
- “Preparation to fulfill EPR requirement on recycling target in Viet Nam” – Pham Phu Ngoc Trai, Chairman, Packaging Recycling Organization (PRO Viet Nam)
Webinar #6: Sustainable development in circular agriculture
Date: 17 November 2023 Time: 14:00 – 16:00 ICT
Guest speakers
- “A circular bioeconomy model” – Dr. Tosin Somorin, Researcher, International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
- “Bridging the sector to advocate for Circular Economy” – Ms. Nguyen Cam Thuy, Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture in Viet Nam (PSAV)
- “Best out of waste in coffee production” – Nestle (TBC)
- “A cricket farm embracing IoT Technology and Circular Economy” – Ms. Bicky Nguyen, Co-founder, Cricket One
Webinar #7: From circular economy to carbon neutrality
Date: 7 December 2023 Time: 14:00 – 15:30 ICT
Guest speakers (TBD)
V. REGISTRATION LINK
Register here: https://undp.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6icX-8G3TC61yqxk5FlQaw
VI. CONTACTS
- Hoang Thi Dieu Linh – Waste and Circular Economy Officer – hoang.thi.dieu.linh@undp.org
- Ly Vi Ky – Circular Economy Hub Officer – ly.vi.ky@undp.org
VI. RECORDS AND MATERIALS
