As Vietnam steers its national efforts toward a just energy transition and a net-zero future, it is crucial to undertake substantial labor force transformations that fuel a green and low-carbon economy.

UNDP Resident Representative Vietnam Ramla Khalidi addresses labor transformation at an event held in Hanoi to commemorate International Youth Day. Photos: UN

Ramla Khalidi, UNDP Resident Representative Vietnam, shared the view and highlighted the need to prepare and upskill youth for sustainability.

“Vietnamese youth need to be well-prepared and armed with green knowledge, skills, and competencies to be part of these workforces,” Khalidi said at an event held in Hanoi to commemorate International Youth Day on August 12.

Ramla Khalidi said Vietnam is steering its national efforts toward a just energy transition and a net-zero future. To make that happen, it will be crucial to undertake substantial transformations in the labor force that fuel a green and low-carbon economy. 

Green skills education for youth – key to Vietnam’s green transition

UN officials stressed the role of educating green skills for youth in the country’s transition towards sustainability as the demand for green skills is outpacing its availability.

They argue that it sets the stage for a crucial conversation on the role of young people in creating a greener and more sustainable future for Vietnam. 

Ramla Khalidi stressed: “Embracing new opportunities to cultivate green jobs and future-oriented skills is more than an investment in their potential, it is a commitment to a sustainable world.”

From left: UNDP Resident Representative Vietnam Ramla Khalidi, UN Resident Coordinator for Vietnam Pauline Tamesis, UNICEF Representative in Vietnam Rana Flowers,  IOM Vietnam Chief of Mission Mihyung Park, Head of a.i. UN Women in Vietnam Caroline T. Nyamayemombe, and Nguyen Thi Bich Hue from UNAIDS Vietnam

“As the world embarks on a journey towards a more sustainable future, these green skills become the compass guiding us through the uncharted waters of a rapidly changing world,” according to UN Resident Coordinator for Vietnam Pauline Tamesis. 

“We must address this disparity and ensure that everyone, regardless of their background or gender, has equal access to these skills,” she stated. 

In the context of climate change, the world is embarking on a green transition. This brings about new economic opportunities for youth, but they need to be equipped with green skills. The practical tools and knowledge allow them to utilize the power of eco-friendly technologies and to make environmentally conscious decisions in both their professional and personal lives.

Given a vast pool of young talent comprising 22.1 million individuals aged between 16 and 30, Vietnam’s incredible potential must not go untapped. 

“By investing in quality education and fostering a supportive environment for youth engagement, we can equip our young generation to play a leading role in driving a just, equitable, and sustainable future for Vietnam, Pauline Tamesis noted. 

To commemorate International Youth Day, UN representatives in Vietnam shared the importance of equipping skills that are vital to sustainability.

UNICEF Representative in Vietnam Rana Flowers said: “Integrating green skills, understanding climate change, and ensuring they are taught and practiced in schools is vital for young people, empowering them with problem-solving, innovation, and creativity skills will help ensure sustainable development.”

Meanwhile, Head of a.i. UN Women in Vietnam Caroline T. Nyamayemombe, said empowering young women is crucial for addressing gender-based discrimination and violence. “By giving them access to education and giving them the opportunity to lead and to participate in all initiatives, we expand their potential, contributing to the green economy and sustainable development.”

Mihyung Park, IOM Vietnam Chief of Mission, highlighted the role of young people at the center of climate action, calling them changemakers. “We encourage young people, including migrants to gain green skills, especially critical thinking skills, so they can navigate migration as the world response to climate crisis,” she emphasized.

To confirm the importance of green skills education, Nguyen Thi Bich Hue from UNAIDS Vietnam said it should cover vulnerable groups such as people who use and inject drugs, sex workers, LGBTI people, and young people with disabilities including out-of-school settings.

Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc, Miss Intercontinental, first runner-up at Miss World Vietnam 2022, speaks at the event highlighting the role of green skills.

Sharing the same idea, Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc, Miss Intercontinental, first runner-up at Miss World Vietnam 2022, a youth guest speaker at the event shared: “Green skills opened new opportunities for young people to contribute to a more sustainable society. I am excited to see what Vietnamese young people can achieve by applying these skills.”

Bao Ngoc stressed that green skills, which included green jobs, would matter a lot to both work and life as people, especially young ones need to equip such helpful skills in life and networking for further connections and contributions.

To prepare for a better green transition in Vietnam, Bao Ngoc emphasized the role of Sustainability education that puts an emphasis on preserving the environment and fostering a more ecologically and socially just society through responsible action; Impact assessment that is revealed by themselves, in their own work or the places/organizations they are working for; and Environmental social and governance (ESG) is used to evaluate business practices and performance on various sustainable and ethical issues. It also offers a way to gauge the opportunities and risks for businesses in those fields.