Making its debut on December 17, 2010, the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD) is a business-led organisation committed to joining hands for sustainable development in Vietnam and accompanying enterprises on sustainable development in three aspects: economic growth, ecological balance and social progress.
Facing numerous challenges
In fact, the world is facing enormous challenges such as financial and economic crisis, volatile energy and food prices, climate change and loss of biodiversity. In addition, unsustainable development elements have placed a pressure on limited natural resources of the earth and on the intake of ecosystem.
In a fast-growing economy, environmental concerns, challenges of financial crisis and climate change are exposing more clearly. Vietnam is heavily influenced by climate change and is one of the most vulnerable countries to natural disasters like flooding and soil erosion.
Besides, instabilities plus adverse context of the world have exerted a strong impact on business and social life. High inflation, high interest rate, demand-pulled weakening consumption, rising inventory, capital shortage and shrinking market are placing increased pressures on enterprises, especially small and medium ones. Therefore, many have slashed investment and production costs, including expenses for labour, environment and society. Exercising corporate social responsibility to achieve sustainable development is critical for many businesses today because they cannot succeed in a failed society. And, therefore, they want to create social values and contribute to equitable growth.
Accompanying businesses
As a positive element in motivating the business community to carry out the sustainable development strategic orientation, VBCSD has taken strong, specific actions to promote and support Vietnamese enterprises to modernise sustainable development industries in the past two years like clean industry and environmental protection technology. It has also appreciated initiatives and suggestions proposed by VBCSD member companies.
The Council is co-chaired by Dr Doan Duy Khuong, VCCI Vice President, and Mr Gary Schutz, CEO of Holcim Vietnam Ltd. Many founding members are large Vietnamese and foreign companies like Holcim Vietnam, Unilever, Shell Vietnam, APCO, Rolls-Royce Vietnam, Vietnam National Coal, Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited (Vinacomin), FTP Corporation, and Ho Chi Minh City Securities Corporation. The overall mission of the council from now to 2020 is to build a sustained and dynamic Vietnamese business community to successfully integrate in the 21st century, and contribute to national economic development, social progress, poverty reduction, environmental protection, and sustainable development of the country.
Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, Director of the Office for Business Sustainable Development (SD4B) under VCCI cum VBCSD Secretary General, said, in the current context of economic difficulties, VBCSD always makes every effort to support enterprises to implement their corporate social responsibility. Its major activities like communication and awareness-raising activities, training activities and research activities; and international cooperation obtained good results. The council has organised many meetings on hot issues of green growth and sustainable development, such as "Economic growth, environmental impact management," "National strategy for green growth"; "Sustainable cities: Challenges and opportunities", “Responsible tourism business in protected areas", etc.
Specially, the council also assists enterprises and business associations to formulate and implement sustainable development policies, train and raise their awareness of sustainable development. The active participation of the business community will create a solid foundation for building a sustainable, dynamic and successful business community in Vietnam in the 21st century.
Besides, VBCSD serves as a bridge for government agencies and businesses to convey information and reflect real needs of enterprises. Furthermore, it strengthens its role of policy advice and recommendation.
Besides, VBCSD is also a member of the Regional Network of World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). The network is an alliance of BCSDs in 64 countries or regions. VBCSD will introduce and disseminate international experiences or lessons of experienced countries to Vietnamese enterprises to adjust business strategies to match sustainable development requirements and sustainable development trends in the world.
Source: Vietnam Business Forum
