Ho Chi Minh City forum calls for closer cooperation on new growth drivers
Speakers said investment in skills, local technology and infrastructure was needed to support growth from AI, digitalisation and the green transition.
Officials addressing the Autumn Economic Forum 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City on October 28 urged countries to strengthen international partnerships and connections between industries to harness technology-led growth. At a high-level plenary, they identified artificial intelligence, digitalisation and the green transition as emerging economic drivers.
Arsenio M. Balisacan, Philippine Secretary of the Department of Economy, Planning and Development, said economies needed to remain open while reducing vulnerability to shocks. Heavy reliance on individual suppliers, industries, markets or trade routes carried risks, he said. He called for workforce training, improved logistics and transport, greater competition and investment promotion to help connect emerging sectors.
Zhang Qi, Vice President of the Development Research Centre of the State Council of China, said worldwide investment in new digital projects had almost tripled since 2020. She put annual digital-economy growth at 10–12% over several years, exceeding global GDP growth, and said developing countries were making greater contributions to trade and supply-chain diversification.
Pauline Tamesis, UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, said manufacturing destinations needed domestic technological capabilities and advanced skills to become sustainable growth centres rather than remain assembly locations. She also urged a fair transition that considered workers facing changing jobs, climate-affected communities and developing economies needing finance.
Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng said national strategies should target promising areas such as AI, digital and green industries, the creative economy and modern manufacturing.
