As global trade, investment and industrial policies continue to be shaped by digital transformation and sustainability imperatives, the 12th World Free Zones Organization Congress (World FZO World Congress 2026) provided a key platform for policymakers, industry leaders and businesses to discuss the future of economic zones and industrial parks in an evolving global economy.

Held from 12–14 May 2026 in Panama City, Panama, the Congress brought together the global free zones community to exchange experiences, foster policy dialogue and identify solutions that can help economic zones remain competitive, attract sustainable investment and generate long-term economic value amid the ongoing restructuring of global supply chains.

As part of the Congress programme, Ms. Nguyen Tram Anh, National Project Manager of the Global Eco-Industrial Parks Programme (GEIPP) in Viet Nam, participated in the panel discussion “Driving Competitiveness through Sustainability in Economic Zones and Eco-Industrial Parks”, coordinated by UNIDO and featuring speakers from Panama, Colombia and Peru.

The session explored a transformative shift taking place across free zones worldwide. No longer serving solely as trade facilitation mechanisms, free zones are increasingly evolving into platforms for industrial transformation. Within this transition, Eco-Industrial Parks (EIPs) are emerging as a key operational model that translates sustainability ambitions into tangible business outcomes. Drawing on practical experiences and case studies from the Global Eco-Industrial Parks Programme implemented by UNIDO, as well as experiences from Peru, Colombia, Panama and Viet Nam, the discussion highlighted the critical role of enabling policy frameworks, renewable energy, resource efficiency, circular economy approaches and sustainable industrial development models in enhancing profitability, attracting global investors and supporting responsible industrial growth.

 

During the session, Mr. Christian Susana, Director of the Global Eco-Industrial Parks Programme, shared how UNIDO supports countries in advancing the transition to Eco-Industrial Parks through the application of the International Framework for Eco-Industrial Parks (International EIP Framework), helping improve the economic, environmental and social performance of industrial parks. From a global perspective, he noted that Eco-Industrial Parks are no longer viewed solely as environmental initiatives. Instead, they are increasingly recognized as strategic platforms that enhance competitiveness, resilience and investment attractiveness, particularly as ESG requirements, green supply chain standards and net-zero commitments become increasingly important drivers of industrial development.

As one of the countries participating in the Global Eco-Industrial Parks Programme, Viet Nam shared its experience in advancing Eco-Industrial Park development over more than a decade. Ms. Nguyen Tram Anh highlighted the country’s progress, from establishing and strengthening the policy and regulatory framework to implementing industrial symbiosis initiatives, wastewater reuse solutions and resource-efficient and cleaner production practices at enterprise level. She emphasized that applying the International Framework for Eco-Industrial Parks has also helped identify policy gaps and opportunities for further improvement, including regulations related to wastewater reuse within industrial parks.

As sustainability standards increasingly become prerequisites for participation in global value chains, Eco-Industrial Parks are playing a growing role as strategic platforms for enhancing competitiveness, resilience and investment attractiveness. Viet Nam is actively promoting the development of modern industrial ecosystems that integrate manufacturing, logistics, renewable energy, digital infrastructure and innovation, while working towards the goal of Eco-Industrial Parks accounting for approximately 10 per cent of the country’s industrial parks in the coming years.

Through its participation in the Congress, Viet Nam contributed practical insights and experiences to the global dialogue on how industrial parks and economic zones can simultaneously strengthen competitiveness and advance sustainable development, supporting the transition towards green growth and a circular economy.