On the morning of 8 December 2025 in Ha Noi, the Ministry of Finance, in cooperation with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), held the second meeting of the Steering Committee of the project “Scaling up Eco-Industrial Park approaches to promote Circular Economy in Viet Nam” (GEIPP Viet Nam). The meeting welcomed around 50 participants, including representatives of the Ministries of Finance; Industry and Trade; Science and Technology; Construction; and Agriculture and Environment; representatives of industrial park and economic zone management boards from Hai Phong, Dong Nai, Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh and Bac Ninh; representatives of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of the Swiss Confederation (SECO); UNIDO; industrial park infrastructure developers participating in the project; and a number of other relevant agencies and organisations.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Do Van Su, Director General of the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Finance, emphasized that the Ministry of Finance regards the development of eco-industrial parks (EIPs) as a strategic direction that both promotes economic growth and protects the environment, while at the same time enhancing national competitiveness.

Mr. Su highlighted: “This is a joint effort that reflects the Government’s role in shaping enabling policies, the pioneering role of enterprises in innovation, and the support and companionship of international partners.” According to him, the transition towards eco-industrial parks not only helps enterprises save operating costs, increase productivity and expand markets, but also supports Viet Nam in meeting international standards and its commitments under new-generation free trade agreements (FTAs), in line with the increasingly stringent requirements of export markets.

Representing the donor, Mr. Andri Meier, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland in Viet Nam, reaffirmed Switzerland’s strong commitment, through SECO, to supporting Viet Nam in shifting towards resource-efficient and environmentally friendly production models via eco-industrial parks.

Mr. Andri Meier stressed: “The project’s positive environmental, economic, and social results show an important point: sustainability and competitiveness go hand in hand.” He noted that the continued implementation of GEIPP Viet Nam Phase II through to 2028 reconfirms the belief that transforming industrial parks towards eco-industrial parks is essential for Viet Nam to move towards becoming a high-income country by 2045 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Sharing her views at the meeting, Ms. Le Thi Thanh Thao, UNIDO Country Representative in Viet Nam, stated that, alongside the results already achieved, the process of transforming and scaling up the eco-industrial park model still faces many challenges, requiring a strong coordinating role from the Steering Committee, particularly in terms of inter-sectoral cooperation.

Ms. Le Thi Thanh Thao emphasized: “Scaling up the model requires close and continuous coordination between industrial park management boards and the relevant ministries and sectors.” At the same time, she affirmed: “UNIDO is committed to continuing to be a trusted partner, sharing global knowledge and experience to support Viet Nam in achieving its development goals.”

At the meeting, Ms. Vuong Thi Minh Hieu, Deputy Director General of the Foreign Investment Agency, Ministry of Finance, announced the decision to consolidate the Project Steering Committee for the 2025–2028 period, and informed participants about the Government’s policy orientations and directions related to eco-industrial park development in the coming period.

During the meeting, key presentations were delivered in turn to provide an overall picture and implementation directions for the next phase:

• Mr. Christian Susan, Global Eco-Industrial Park Programme Manager, UNIDO, presented international experiences and practical implementation of eco-industrial parks in countries participating in the Global EIP Programme.
• Ms. Nguyen Tram Anh, National Project Manager, GEIPP Viet Nam (UNIDO), reported on project activities and results up to December 2025.
• Mr. Hoang Anh Phu, Principal Official of the Foreign Investment Agency, Ministry of Finance, presented policy orientations and directions of the Government on eco-industrial parks.
• Ms. Adriana Alzate, Technical Lead & Project Coordinator of the Global Eco-Industrial Park Programme (UNIDO), introduced the project’s plan and activities for 2026.

During the discussion session, members of the Steering Committee and delegates from central ministries, local industrial park management boards and representatives of industrial parks focused on key issues for scaling up the eco-industrial park model in the coming phase. Participants underlined the importance of circularity and wastewater reuse in compliance with technical standards to ensure that no environmental risks arise; the need to harmonize indicators under international frameworks while strengthening the role of science, technology and innovation; and the need to closely integrate project activities with ongoing programmes on cleaner production and efficient energy use for the 2026–2030 period. At the same time, localities shared practical difficulties in converting existing industrial parks and developing new ones, and proposed early issuance of clear guidelines and standards, together with enhanced technical support, to create favourable conditions for enterprises to participate and move towards recognition as eco-industrial parks.

In her concluding remarks, Ms. Vuong Thi Minh Hieu said Steering Committee members broadly agreed with the project’s results to December 2025 and backed the 2026 implementation plan. Based on the views exchanged at the meeting, the Steering Committee highlighted several key directions for the time ahead, including strengthening policy dialogue to promptly identify and remove bottlenecks; stepping up advisory work and improving mechanisms and guidance for implementing and certifying eco-industrial parks; promoting harmonization between national and international standards; encouraging the application of science, technology and innovation and stronger industrial symbiosis linkages; and enhancing inter-sectoral coordination in such priority areas as wastewater reuse, waste management, renewable energy development and digital transformation in the management and operation of industrial parks.

The Steering Committee agreed to assign the Project Management Unit to work closely with relevant partners to ensure resources and implementation progress, while taking note of SECO’s proposal to consider establishing a coordination mechanism or platform to foster dialogue, cooperation and the mobilization of green finance for the transition of industrial parks towards eco-industrial parks in Viet Nam.

The meeting concluded with broad consensus and a clear commitment to action, paving the way for the continued effective implementation of GEIPP Viet Nam and supporting efforts to scale up the eco-industrial park model while advancing Viet Nam’s green growth and sustainable development goals.