National Scientific Conference on “Green Finance, ESG and Sustainable Development in the Context of Global Change”

On July 3rd, Nha Trang University, in collaboration with the School of Economics, Law and Public Administration under the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City and the University of Finance - Marketing, organized the 2026 National Scientific Conference with the theme “Green Finance, ESG and Sustainable Development in the Context of Global Change”.

Sustainable development has evolved from a long-term strategic priority into an essential requirement for economic policymaking, corporate governance, and financial market operations. For Vietnam, its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, together with its green growth agenda, presents new demands for transforming the country’s development model. This requires comprehensive improvements in institutions and fiscal and monetary policies, the development of green financial markets, the expansion of green credit, the promotion of climate finance instruments, and the enhancement of environmental and social risk management capabilities within the banking system.

Driven by practical needs and emerging international research trends, the conference “Green Finance, ESG and Sustainable Development in the Context of Global Change” was organized as a high-quality academic forum. It brought together scientists, lecturers, experts, policymakers, doctoral candidates, graduate students, and representatives of relevant organizations to exchange research findings, share practical experiences, and discuss emerging issues in finance, economics, and sustainable governance.

Representing Nha Trang University at the conference was Prof. Dr. Pham Quoc Hung, Vice Rector of the University, who attended alongside leaders of various departments, lecturers, researchers, and a large number of students and PhD candidates. Representatives from the University of Finance – Marketing included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Huong Lan, Head of the Department of Scientific Management, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi My Linh, Director of the School of Financial and Banking Technology.

Figure 1. Overview of the conference opening session in Hall 1, Nha Trang University

The conference pursued the following key objectives:

• To provide an academic forum for exchanging theoretical, empirical, and applied research related to green finance, ESG, and sustainable development;
• To analyze the impacts of global economic fluctuations—including interest rates, exchange rates, geopolitical risks, climate change, and supply chain shifts—on financial systems and sustainable development strategies;
• To assess the current status, opportunities, and challenges associated with the development of green financial markets in Vietnam and other emerging economies;
• To examine the role of ESG in enhancing corporate performance, information transparency, access to capital, and competitiveness in the new business environment;
• To propose policy implications for strengthening financial stability, promoting the green transition, and enhancing economic resilience;
• To contribute to the advancement of scientific research and high-quality human resource development while strengthening connections among educational institutions, research institutes, regulatory bodies, and the business community.

As part of the program, delegates attended keynote presentations addressing topics such as fiscal resilience in social financing, human capital and firm-level innovation, and the green transition from the perspectives of finance and public governance. Subsequently, delegates participated in discussions across four thematic sub-sessions covering a wide range of topics, including the development of green financial markets, ESG governance, public finance, the green transition, the circular economy, and sustainable development.

Figure 2. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi My Linh co-chairing a thematic discussion session (Sub-session 4)

At the conference, authors presented and discussed research on a range of topics, focusing on seven key themes:

• First, global economic volatility and financial stability.
• Second, the development of green financial markets and sustainable finance.
• Third, public finance and fiscal policy for sustainable development.
• Fourth, ESG and corporate performance.
• Fifth, climate change, adaptation finance, and new development models.
• Sixth, sustainable production, consumption, and governance.
• Seventh, policy implications and institutional refinement for sustainable development.

Figure 3. The Organizing Committee presenting gifts to co-organizing partners

The Organizing Committee selected 109 high-quality papers, contributed by more than 20 universities, research institutes, and organizations nationwide, for inclusion in the conference proceedings. This reflects the strong interest and valuable contributions of scientists, experts, policymakers, lecturers, doctoral candidates, graduate students, and domestic and international organizations and enterprises to the conference themes. The papers constitute a valuable scientific resource, providing theoretical and practical insights to support policymaking and corporate governance while contributing to sustainable economic development.

Figure 4. The Organizing Committee, guests, and participating authors at the conference

The 2026 National Scientific Conference on “Green Finance, ESG and Sustainable Development in the Context of Global Change” was designed to serve as a key forum connecting academic knowledge with management practices. It sought to clarify theoretical and practical issues related to green finance, ESG, and sustainable development amid the rapid transformation of the global economy. The research findings presented at the conference are expected to contribute to policy refinement, the enhancement of corporate governance capabilities, the development of sustainable financial markets, and the advancement of the green transition in Vietnam.

Nguyen Thi Kim Chi, Tran Nhan Nghia
School of Financial and Banking Technology.