Public Governance Forum on the theme of “Innovation for National Sustainable Development in the New Era”

Prof, Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo member, President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Chairman of the Central Theory Councilmakes his opening speech

The initiative was organised in collaboration with the Academy of Public Administration and Governance (APAG) under the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration (EROPA), the ASEAN Network of Public Service Training Institutes (PSTI), the Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG), the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP). 

The forum brought together around 200 Vietnamese and international leaders, experts, practitioners, and academics, including Ms. Diana Torres, Regional Governance Advisor of UNDP; Dr. Alex B.Brillantes, Secretary-General of EROPA; Dr Hajah Noor Maya Haji Md Salleh, Director of Institut Perkhidmatan Awam (Brunei Civil Service Institute) and Professor Vu Minh Khuong of LKYSPP and CIG Advisory Council Member, to discuss strategies to strengthen innovation capacity in the public sector.

Delegates at the event

In his opening remarks, Prof, Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo member, President of HCMA, Chairman of the Central Theory Council, emphasised that in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation, innovation is both the driving force for growth and the foundation of modern national governance. He highlighted that creativity embedded in every policy, agency, and official would contribute to sustainable development and underscored the importance of collaboration between the state, academia, and enterprises in turning ideas into reality.

Assoc, Prof, Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, President of APAG, noted that innovation in governance goes beyond technology – it requires a culture of learning, adaptability, and public service ethics. He emphasised a shift in governance mindset: from control to growth enablement and co-creation of public value. He also highlighted that recent resolutions reaffirm that people are both the centre and the driving force of innovation and development.

Policy Dialogue on “Innovation in the Public Sector – From Vision to Policy Action”

Building on these insights, Mr. Wu Wei Neng, Chief Executive Officer of CIG, delivered a presentation on Singapore’s experience in embedding innovation into national governance and participated in a policy dialogue on innovation in the public sector – from vision to policy action. He highlighted that innovation is essential in high performance governments, helping governments to adapt, learn continuously, and strengthen public trust. He also shared perspectives on how public sector innovation can be nurtured through leadership, organisational culture, and systems that encourage experimentation and collaboration.

The forum served as a platform for Vietnamese and international delegates to exchange insights and practical approaches to advance Viet Nam’s sustainable development through innovation. Discussions centred on strengthening collaboration among training institutions, research organisations, and local authorities; enhancing institutional capacity, talent development, and digital governance; and promoting a culture of innovation across all levels of government. 

Delegates take photo together

The event reaffirmed the shared commitment to build a more adaptive, innovative, and citizen-centred public service in Viet Nam.