‘Encouraging Youth Innovation through Empowerment’

The United Nations representative in Vietnam emphasized the importance of targeting innovators and young people to promote creativity as a core tool for making Vietnam a regional innovation center. Ms. Paluline Tamesis, the United Nations Representative in Vietnam, delivered this message at the 2024 World Creativity and Innovation Day response ceremony organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology on April 19. She acknowledged Vietnam’s progress and potential in the global innovation index ranking and highlighted the central role of this progress in helping Vietnam achieve its vision and development goals.

Ms. Tamesis pointed out that Vietnam has achieved 5 out of 17 sustainable development goals and emphasized the need for inspirational innovation in areas such as green technologies and technology to reduce carbon emissions. She stressed that creativity is not limited to technology but also includes ideas for green technology solutions that can improve lives. Ms. Tamesis underscored the importance of empowering young people in the STEM field and targeting innovators, young people, and ethnic minority groups to promote creativity and innovation.

Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat highlighted Vietnam’s transition to a growth model based on science, technology, and innovation. He expressed hope that Vietnam’s innovation capacity would continue to improve, contributing to increased labor productivity, product quality, environmental protection, and sustainable development. The Minister outlined three tasks: raising awareness about the role of creativity and innovation, developing a national innovation system, and launching a series of innovation activities in 2024.

The Ministry of Science and Technology has been organizing a ceremony to respond to World Creativity and Innovation Day for the past three years, aiming to raise awareness and promote innovation activities. The response ceremony included a scientific conference on innovation activities and creative startups, addressing the current status of innovation in businesses in Vietnam, national entrepreneurship ecosystem development policies, and industry-level innovation measurement tools. This event aims to create a widespread impact and foster a culture of innovation in agencies, organizations, and communities.