The National Scientific Conference on “Law for Sustainable Development Goals”

Scientific seminars 27/05/2025

On the morning of May 27, 2025, the National Scientific Conference themed “Law for Sustainable Development” hosted by Thuongmai University in cooperation with Hanoi Law University and the Academy of Policy and Development was successfully held, attracting great interest from lecturers, researchers, and experts.

Amidst a world facing increasingly complex and multidimensional challenges – from climate change, depletion of natural resources, and environmental pollution to social inequality and unpredictable economic fluctuations – sustainable development has become both a mandate and an inevitable trend. In Vietnam, the Party and the State have long recognized and defined sustainable development as a strategic and overarching goal, concretized in key documents, particularly the Socio-Economic Development Strategy for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision toward 2045.

In the journey to realize the aspiration for sustainable development, the role of the legal system is essential and decisive. A progressive, transparent, effective, adaptable, and forward-looking legal system will serve as a strong lever, guiding the nation toward sustainable development goals in a comprehensive and efficient manner.

In this context, the National Scientific Conference on the theme “Law for Sustainable Development” was organized to create a multidimensional academic forum, bringing together theoretical knowledge and practical experience, thereby proposing breakthrough solutions to legal issues in the country’s sustainable development process.

Attending the Conference, representatives from the co-organizing institutions included Assoc. Prof., Dr. Nguyễn Bá Bình – Vice Rector of Hanoi Law University; Assoc. Prof., Dr. Nguyễn Quang Tuyến – Vice Chairman of the University Council, Hanoi Law University; Dr. Nguyễn Thế Hùng – Deputy Director of the Academy of Policy and Development.

Representatives from state management agencies included Dr. Nguyễn Như Hà – Deputy Director of the Legal Department, Ministry of Education and Training; M.A. Nguyễn Thị Giang – Representative of the Legal Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Representatives from professional organizations and partner enterprises included Prof., Dr. Lê Hồng Hạnh – Chairman of the Vietnam International Arbitration Center and lecturer at Hanoi Law University; Mr. Trần Thế Quang – Chairman of the Board, Song Da 9 Joint Stock Company; Ms. Lương Thị Hồng Nhung – Deputy General Director, Trần Vũ Law LLC; Lawyer Lưu Xuân Vĩnh – Director, Asia Legal LLC; Lawyer Hoàng Văn Hướng – Head, Hoàng Hưng Law Office. The Conference also welcomed leaders, lecturers, and researchers from law-related universities such as National Economics University, Foreign Trade University, Judicial Academy, Academy of Finance, People’s Procuracy University, People’s Security University, University of Labor and Social Affairs, Thai Nguyen University, Hanoi University of Finance and Banking, and the Academy of Justice.

From Thuongmai University – the host institution, attendees included Assoc. Prof., Dr. Bùi Hữu Đức – Party Secretary, Chairman of the University Council; Assoc. Prof., Dr. Nguyễn Hoàng – Rector; Assoc. Prof., Dr. Hà Văn Sự – Vice Rector; representatives of the heads and vice-heads of departments; lecturers and students of the Faculty of Law; and contributing authors.

In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof., Dr. Hà Văn Sự – Vice Rector of Thuongmai University emphasized: “The theme ‘Law for Sustainable Development’ is not merely a slogan but a practical mandate. Sustainable development, as we know, harmonizes three pillars: economic growth, social progress, and environmental protection. Amid global and national efforts to achieve the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and, further, the vision toward 2045 as guided by our Party and State, the role of law becomes more critical than ever. Law is not only a tool of state management but also a foundation for creating a favorable environment, guiding social behavior, regulating economic relations, and promoting balance between development and conservation. A progressive, transparent, effective, and highly anticipatory legal system is a vital lever for comprehensively achieving sustainable development goals.”

At this Conference, participants discussed multiple focus areas, including but not limited to: completing legislation on environmental protection, climate change response, and energy transition; establishing legal frameworks for green economy, circular economy, and digital economy; legal mechanisms ensuring social justice, welfare, human rights, and gender equality in development; enhancing state governance efficiency and improving legal institutions for sustainable development; as well as legal issues related to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ESG (Environmental – Social – Governance) standards.

The National Scientific Conference “Law for Sustainable Development” aimed to:

Establish a prestigious and open academic forum where scientists, experts, and managers can present and share new research findings, insights, and interpretations regarding the role of law in promoting sustainable development.
Analyze and objectively evaluate the current state of Vietnam’s legal system concerning sustainable development, highlighting achievements, limitations, and legal gaps that need to be addressed.
Share international experiences and learn advanced legal models and solutions from countries that have successfully integrated sustainable development goals into their legal frameworks, thereby proposing specific and feasible recommendations for improving Vietnam’s policies and laws.
Strengthen connections and scientific research collaboration among scholars, lecturers, educational institutions, and research institutes nationwide, contributing to the formation of a strong research community on law and sustainable development.

With these objectives, after more than three hours of focused sessions, the Conference featured one plenary session and two parallel specialized sessions, during which nine presentations were delivered on topics such as the necessary and sufficient conditions for law to enable the realization of sustainable development goals; sustainable economic development and its implications for public investment law; Vietnamese law on renewable energy development aligned with sustainable development requirements; and lessons learned from China.

During discussions, the Conference received many insightful contributions, diverse perspectives, in-depth analyses, and breakthrough solutions to legal issues in the country’s sustainable development process.

In the closing session, Dr. Nguyễn Thị Tình – Head of the Faculty of Law, Thuongmai University, summarized and officially closed the Conference on behalf of the Chair. The National Scientific Conference themed “Law for Sustainable Development” concluded successfully, creating a forum for researchers, lecturers, doctoral candidates, and experts to meet, exchange, discuss, and share research outcomes, while inspiring new ideas, promoting interdisciplinary cooperation, and strengthening the link between theory and practice on the shared journey toward a sustainably developed and prosperous Vietnam.