Hanoi, October 18, 2024 – Today, Samsung Vietnam, in collaboration with the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor (VGCL), the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the National Innovation Center (NIC), organized the Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF) 2024 under the theme “Empowering People and Technology for an Inclusive Digital Vietnam” to promote a vision of digital inclusion: “A digitalized Vietnam, where technology serves everyone's life,” ensuring that no one is left behind.

The forum was attended by Mr. Tran Quoc Phuong, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment; Mr. Phan Van Anh, Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor; Mr. Do Tien Thinh, Deputy Director of the National Innovation Center; and Mr. Choi Joo Ho, President of Samsung Vietnam. Notably, the event attracted nearly 200 delegates in the hall and over 350 online participants, representing government agencies, ministries, non-governmental organizations, social organizations, associations, businesses, research institutions, universities, labor unions, and experts attending both online and in-person.

Mr. Tran Quoc Phuong, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment

Mr. Choi Joo Ho, President of Samsung Vietnam

The objective of MSF 2024 is to promote multilateral cooperation and innovation through technological solutions to expand access, bridge the digital divide, and unlock human potential, especially for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. Vietnam has made significant achievements in digital transformation with the goal of ensuring social equity, based on three pillars: digital economy, digital government, and digital society. MSF 2024 will serve as a platform that connects policies, technology, and social needs, driving the creation of a digitally inclusive future for all citizens.

At the forum, many prominent speakers shared their vision of technology and sustainable development, including Mr. Patrick Haverman, Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam, who shared the UNDP’s vision of enhancing opportunities and access for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, and reducing inequality through technology. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hoang Son, Deputy Director of the Institute of Information Technology, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, presented the role of artificial intelligence and data science in promoting digital inclusion. Ms. Ngo Thuy Anh, a startup leader and Forbes Under 30 honoree, shared her mission to use technology to create equal opportunities for everyone.

Additionally, in the high-level discussion session, experts from policy-making bodies, international organizations, social organizations, academia, and businesses discussed how to promote digital inclusion through human and technological development. The discussion focused on identifying challenges and opening up opportunities to build a digitally inclusive society, where everyone, especially vulnerable groups, can access and leverage technology to improve their quality of life. Specific discussion topics included exploring global and national perspectives on digital transformation in Vietnam, the impact of AI and new technologies in education, healthcare, livelihoods, optimizing individual power and opportunities in addressing the challenges posed by new forms of exclusion in digital transformation, and the role of multilateral cooperation in developing inclusive technological solutions for vulnerable groups.

The high-level discussion session

At the forum, participants also explored practical solutions on how technology empowers communities, helping everyone benefit from technological advancements. In addition to pioneering projects that promote digital inclusion, Samsung Vietnam shared how the company fulfills its social responsibility in Vietnam through CSR activities, focusing on empowering and inspiring future generations to harness and master technology for sustainable development and community service.

Representative of Samsung Vietnam shared the company' CSR activities

A key highlight of MSF 2024 is the launch of the InclusiveTech Initiative, spearheaded by the National Innovation Center (NIC) with the support of Samsung Vietnam and the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor. This initiative embodies the spirit of social service, with the motto: “Technology should not only serve the progress of a few but also bring value to the entire community.” Its main goal is to bridge the gap between technology innovators and vulnerable groups, helping them integrate and develop, thereby promoting a fair and sustainable society through innovative solutions. 

The launch of the InclusiveTech Initiative

The main platform of the Initiative is a dedicated website, designed as a collaborative space for sharing knowledge among stakeholders. It will be a gathering place for individuals and organizations passionate about inclusive technology, working together to drive innovation and development for social benefit. As part of the Initiative, the “InclusiveTech” Award will be held annually to honor outstanding organizations and individuals. This award aims to encourage and spread inclusive technology solutions, fostering learning and collaboration while contributing to achieving the social objectives set by the Initiative.

 At MSF 2024, the “InclusiveTech” Award recognized 23 outstanding initiatives for the first time. These initiatives leveraged technology to bridge the digital divide and increase access to technology for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in various fields. The outstanding projects have opened up broader access to technology, laying the foundation for sustainable and inclusive development.

 In his opening remarks at the Forum, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong said: “Achieving the goals of the National Strategy for Digital Economic and Social Development by 2030, including providing digital skills to all social groups and training over 70% of the working-age population in basic digital skills, is a huge challenge. What is concerning is that a large segment of society, such as the elderly, people with disabilities, children in remote areas, and those facing difficult circumstances, still face many barriers in using digital technology. Therefore, enhancing digital capacity is a long-term process that requires the concerted efforts of society as a whole. By creating a favorable learning environment and providing necessary tools, we can help people with disabilities, workers, and residents in remote areas integrate into the digital society and enjoy the benefits that digital technology brings.”

 Sharing his views at the Forum, Mr. Phan Van Anh, Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, emphasized: “The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor highly values the theme of the 2024 forum, which is being actively discussed and implemented by the leadership of the Party, the State, labor unions, the business community, and society at large.

To facilitate deeper and more effective participation of union members and workers in the digital transformation process, and to make them a key force in contributing to the realization of the ‘Era of National Rise,’ as directed by General Secretary and President To Lam, the Vietnamese labor unions, along with all workers, are deeply aware of their responsibility and duty to participate in and contribute to the development of laws and policies that encourage and support digital transformation for workers. We aim to raise awareness, improve access to and use of digital technology for workers, encourage innovation and collaboration among workers based on digital technology in agencies, organizations, and businesses, and promote comprehensive digital transformation in union activities. The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor is always striving and ready to collaborate with relevant parties to propose effective and appropriate solutions to ‘Develop People and Technology towards a Digitally Inclusive Vietnam,’ driving the vision of digital inclusion: ‘A digitalized Vietnam, where technology serves everyone’s life,’ ensuring that no one is left behind.”

 Amid the powerful Fourth Industrial Revolution, Samsung Vietnam continues to strive for sustainable and inclusive technology development. Mr. Choi Joo Ho, President of Samsung Vietnam, emphasized: “Vietnam, with a dynamic and innovative vision, is quickly seizing opportunities to become a leading digital nation. In this context, Samsung has had in-depth discussions with the Vietnamese Government, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders about the unmissable opportunities in building a digitally inclusive society. Samsung is always hopeful for a digitally inclusive society in Vietnam - where everyone has the opportunity to participate and thrive in digital transformation. In the future, Samsung will continue to organize multilateral forums and strive for the cooperation and development of its partners and Vietnamese society as a whole.”