Vietnam ranks second in SEA on sustainable development

THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam ranked second in Southeast Asia in the 2025 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index, with its score rising 27% over the past decade.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc announced the information at the Vietnam Corporate Sustainability Forum (VCSF) on August 22. The ranking was conducted by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), which assessed 17 goals across 193 countries.

According to Phoc, Vietnam’s 2025 SDG Index reached 73.4 out of 100 points, a 27.4% increase compared to 2015, placing the country second in Southeast Asia.

He added that key areas of improvement included poverty reduction, access to affordable clean energy, and social equity. However, challenges remain in marine resources (48.24 points), land resources (49.26), and industry, innovation, and infrastructure (57.5).

“Vietnam stands out in sustainability at a time when global progress toward the 2030 SDGs is off track, as worldwide, 48% of the targets remain unmet, 17% show no progress, and 18% have regressed compared to the 2015 baseline,” Phoc said.

To achieve its 2030 SDG targets and reach net-zero emissions by 2050, the senior government official urged businesses to accelerate innovation, invest in green core technologies, and adopt sustainable practices.

He stressed that this transformation will enable Vietnamese enterprises to integrate more deeply into global green value chains, where standards are becoming increasingly strict.

Sustainable development must go hand in hand with social responsibility, environmental protection, and effective governance to build trust among investors, partners, and consumers at home and abroad.

“Circular economy models, digital transformation, and a just energy transition should be prioritized to help fulfill Vietnam’s climate commitments,” he continued.

Pham Tan Cong, Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), said that Vietnam now has an opportunity to restructure its economy, shift to a growth model based on knowledge and high-quality human resource, and advance toward a green and high-income economy by 2045.

Vietnam is among the 90% of countries worldwide that have pledged to achieve net-zero emissions within the next few decades. In many countries, these commitments have been written into law, linking trade and investment with carbon reduction, labor, and environmental standards.

Citing United Nations estimates, the VCCI Chairman warned that if humanity continues with current resource-intensive production and consumption patterns, the world would need the equivalent of three Earths by 2050 to sustain its needs.

SMEs in need of strategic support

At the forum, participants heard a range of presentations and insights from leaders of ministries, agencies, and international organizations. These updates highlighted key policies and directions aimed at fostering rapid and sustainable economic growth, in line with Politburo Resolution 68 on private sector development.

Discussions centered on strengthening the private sector, advancing the green transition, addressing climate change, and protecting the environment. International partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), also shared practical recommendations to enhance public–private cooperation in the new context, contributing to Vietnam’s sustainable development goals and its Vision 2045.

UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam Ramla Khalidi noted that Vietnam is entering a new phase. With Resolution 68 of the Politburo and Resolution 198 of the National Assembly, the private sector has been placed at the center of national development. This is not only a policy shift but also a shift in mindset, she said.

On the occasion of the country’s 80th anniversary, Vietnam is implementing 250 major projects, of which 37% are funded by the state budget, with the rest sourced from other channels, including foreign direct investment (FDI).

This is a clear signal of strengthened public–private partnerships and the leading role of large enterprises, she added.

The key question, however, is how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can contribute. SMEs account for more than 97% of all enterprises in Vietnam. Many play an important social role by creating jobs for women, people with disabilities, and ethnic minorities, while pioneering green products and climate adaptation solutions. Despite their innovation and resilience, they continue to face barriers in accessing finance.

“International experience shows that as economies mature, they shift toward medium-sized enterprises. To achieve the 2030 and 2045 goals, Vietnam must provide SMEs with strategic support to avoid gaps. Large enterprises need to strengthen supply chain cooperation with SMEs. Regulators should continue to expand credit guarantees, co-financing, and blended public–private–international capital to ensure more investment flows to SMEs, generating benefits for both business and society,” Khalidi stressed.