On the afternoon of July 29, 2026, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) held an Announcement Ceremony for the Vietnamese translation of the GRI Standards and regional cooperation to promote transparency, resilience, and market access.
Attending the event were Mr. Werner Bardill – Consul General of Switzerland in Ho Chi Minh City; Ms. Esther An – GRI Supervisory Board Member and Chief Sustainability Officer at City Developments Limited (CDL); Dr. Allinnettes Adigue – Head of the ASEAN Regional Hub at GRI; Mr. Nguyen Cong Minh Bao – GRI Country Manager for Vietnam; Dr. William L. Nolten – Chairman and CEO of Golden Gate BCE Group; Mr. Huynh Quoc Khanh – Chairman of the Board of Members and Director of LPF FUND Co., Ltd.; along with experts, scientists, and business representatives.
In the context of Vietnam rapidly transitioning toward a circular economy and sustainable development, integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors is no longer a luxury for businesses but has become a criterion for survival in the global market. More importantly, the impacts of climate change are no longer confined to the environment, but extend to financial materiality. Vietnamese enterprises are facing direct risks such as supply chain disruptions, resource scarcity, and shifting investor expectations. Transparent disclosure through the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards – the world’s most widely adopted sustainability reporting framework—has now become an imperative for enterprises seeking to measure climate risk impacts, govern risks, and unlock green capital alongside vital preferential funding.
Mr. Werner Bardill – Consul General of Switzerland in Ho Chi Minh City delivers the opening remarks.This transition has been spreading across the country’s most critical economic drivers. In the agri-food sector, stringent international regulations such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) make actual compliance a necessary “green visa” to maintain export market access and expand global value chains. Similarly, Vietnam’s construction and real estate sectors are under growing pressure from mechanisms such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). As one of the largest emitters of carbon and consumers of materials, this sector is witnessing the rapid establishment of mandatory green building codes, sustainable material procurement guidelines, and stricter circular economy regulations. For both sectors, the failure to provide verifiable sustainability data poses the risk of being completely shut out from high-value markets and green investment portfolios.
Delegates attend the Announcement Ceremony for the Vietnamese translation of the GRI Standards.However, Vietnam faces a major invisible barrier holding back the widespread adoption of ESG disclosure – the language barrier. For thousands of Vietnamese businesses – especially agricultural cooperatives, construction suppliers, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – accessing complex international standards frameworks in English requires technical resources and capacity that they simply do not possess.
The announcement of the Vietnamese translation of the GRI Standards will help dismantle this barrier. By translating global benchmarks into the vernacular, this launch democratizes sustainability reporting, equipping Vietnamese enterprises with practical tools to quantify climate risks, fulfill rigorous international regulations, and confidently expand their presence in global value chains.
Ms. Esther An, GRI Supervisory Board Member and Chief Sustainability Officer at City Developments Limited (CDL).
Accordingly, the objectives of the GRI Standards event are to:
- Officially introduce the Vietnamese translation of the GRI Standards to the business community, press, and public in Vietnam.
- Position transparent sustainability data disclosure via digital platforms as a strategic driver to adapt to climate change and spur economic growth, while underscoring benefits regarding operational efficiency, capital accessibility, and global value chain expansion.
- Showcase practical enterprise applications through case studies and expert insights.
- Foster new partnerships – including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Golden Gate BCE and CAVIDI to join the ASEAN Sustainability & Impact Alliance (ASIA) to broaden the scope and impact of sustainable development initiatives in Vietnam and elevate the international competitiveness of Vietnamese businesses (particularly in the Agri-Food and Construction sectors).
Mr. Nguyen Cong Minh Bao, GRI Country Manager for Vietnam.
Speaking at the conference, Ms. Esther An, Member of the GRI Supervisory Board and Chief Sustainability Officer at City Developments Limited, stated: Sustainability reporting is not merely disclosure. It builds trust and empowers organizations and stakeholders to make better decisions. By providing reliable and comparable information on their impacts, enterprises can strengthen resilience, attract investment, and enhance competitiveness in an increasingly globalized economy. Therefore, delivering the latest GRI Standards in Vietnamese is an essential step in broadening access to sustainability reporting in a high-growth market like Vietnam.
Signing ceremony of the cooperation agreements.
Next, Mr. Nguyen Cong Minh Bao, GRI Country Manager for Vietnam, noted: Sustainability factors are increasingly shaping investment choices, business decisions, and long-term competitiveness. In Vietnam, we see this translating into rising expectations from investors, lenders, and business partners for globally comparable information regarding an organization’s impact. Hence, domestic enterprises and stakeholders having full access to the latest GRI Standards in Vietnamese carries paramount importance.
This announcement comes as Vietnam’s agri-food sector confronts escalating expectations regarding transparency, traceability, and climate resilience. As a major contributor to national exports and economic growth, the sector is under mounting pressure to adapt to volatile international market demands. GRI is also expanding regional collaboration through the ASEAN Sustainability & Impact Alliance. As a newly joined member of the Alliance, Golden Gate BCE Group will contribute agri-food expertise, supporting the development of more resilient and competitive value chains in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
Presenting his perspective, Dr. William L. Nolten, Chairman and CEO of Golden Gate BCE Group, emphasized: The future competitiveness of the agri-food sector hinges upon transparent, traceable, and resilient value chains. Through the GRI ASIA alliance, we aim to accelerate sustainability actions to foster responsible growth and enhance access to finance for micro, small, and medium enterprises across the sector.
At the launch of the Vietnamese translation of the GRI Standards, signing ceremonies of cooperation agreements took place among companies and entities, including Golden Gate BCE and GRI, Golden Gate BCE and LPF FUND, among others.
Minh Yến – Hồ Tĩnh – CP
