From August 21 to 25, in the Republic of Singapore, the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA), in collaboration with the Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises (CMSC), organized a training program for senior executives at Vietnamese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) under the theme “Senior Executive Governance in the Sustainability Era”.
On August 22, 2023, the opening ceremony of the training program for senior executives at Vietnamese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) under the theme “Senior Executive Governance in the Sustainability Era” was held at the Singapore Management University (SMU). Participants on the Vietnamese side include Ambassador Mai Phuoc Dung, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to Singapore; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, NAPA President, Mr. Nguyen Tien Dao, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the CPV Committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA).
On the side of CMSC, there were Mr. Ho Duc Thang – Director of the Information Center, as well as members of the Members’ Council; members of the Board of Directors, and Deputy General Directors of SOEs under the Commission.
On the side of international delegates and experts, there were Mr. Kenneth Sim, Dean of Chandler Academy of Governance (Singapore); Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Minh Khuong, Associate Professor, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy; Mr. Lionel Yeo, Independent Director of StarHub Co., Ltd.; Mr. Lam Yi Young, Board Member of the Community Foundation of Singapore and the SIM People Development Fund.
The program also had the participation of delegation members from MoHA and NAPA.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, NAPA President, delivering his opening remarks
In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, NAPA President, affirmed that the training program “Senior Executive Governance in the Sustainability Era” is a solid continuation of the long-term collaboration in training for senior executives at Vietnamese SOEs between MoHA (with NAPA as the implementation unit) and CMSC and international partners such as Chandler Institute of Governance, Temasek Holdings and leading corporations in Singapore.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien expressed gratitude for the guidance of the leaders from MoHA and CMSC, as well as the support and partnership of the Vietnamese Embassy to Singapore, Chandler Institute of Governance, Temasek Holdings, Sembcorp Industries and international experts. In particular, the participation of senior executives at Vietnamese SOEs has played a decisive role in the success of the training program.
Mr. Ho Duc Thang, Director of the Information Center, CMSC, delivering his opening remarks
In his opening remarks, Mr. Ho Duc Thang, Director of the Information Center, shared that this program follows the success of the training programs implemented in 2022 for officials, civil servants and leaders of the SOEs under CMSC. Driven by the increasing demand of investors for sustainable investment and the attention of the government, especially after Vietnam’s commitment at COP 26, Vietnamese SOEs have gradually turned their focus toward environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) and implemented ESG practices in production and business activities at different levels.
Mr. Ho Duc Thang also agreed with expert assessments, stating that this transition is seen as an opportunity. To achieve success, businesses should underscore the development of new products, innovative models related to sustainable development, efficient operational practices, workforce enhancement strategies, and improved communication with investors, customers, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders.
In the context that the global economy has gone through challenging phases, it requires the CMSC and its affiliated enterprises to strive harder to overcome these management challenges while simultaneously staying updated with the latest international knowledge that aligns with the business development orientation in the sustainability era.
Mr. Kenneth Sim, Deputy Executive Director of CIG, and Dean of CAG, delivering his opening remarks
The program brings together top business leaders from Singapore and international scholars to share their insights and present cutting-edge research on governance aligned with the direction of enterprise development in the sustainability era, connecting specialized knowledge with practical experience in senior executive governance at state-owned enterprises post-equitization and its applicability to Vietnam. The program also paves the way for strategic implications towards the reform of Vietnamese state-owned enterprises, aiming at sustainable growth.
The training program, delivered with the enthusiasm and dedication of the keynote speakers and guests, equips the delegates and participants with knowledge about corporate governance, thereby strongly promoting senior executive governance in the coming time and making a significant contribution to the sustainable development journey of Vietnamese SOEs.
An overview of the opening ceremony
From August 21 to August 25, 2023, in the Republic of Singapore, the participants will study several thematic lectures at the Singapore Management University and attend senior meetings and site visits at Temasek Holdings, Sembcorp Industries, etc. The delegation will also have a working session at the Embassy of Vietnam in Singapore.
A group photo of the delegates and participants
