The Judging Council had a heated discussion about the Vietnam ESG Awards

On the afternoon of March 26, the first meeting of the Vietnam ESG Awards Judging Council took place in both in-person and online formats at the Dan Tri newspaper office.

Journalist Pham Tuan Anh, Editor-in-Chief of Dan Tri Newspaper, expressed his gratitude to the members of the first ESG Award Judging Council for their interest, support and great contributions to the Vietnam ESG Forum initiated by Dan Tri Newspaper as well as the Vietnam ESG Award over the past year.

"Since May 2024, when the Vietnam ESG Forum and awards were launched, we have accompanied many events, received much attention and achieved certain results and values ​​in society and the business community," said Mr. Pham Tuan Anh.

Journalist Pham Tuan Anh, Editor-in-Chief of Dan Tri newspaper, said that the Vietnam ESG Forum has received much attention and achieved certain results and values ​​in society and the business community (Photo: Hai Long).

According to Mr. Pham Tuan Anh, basically, the activities of the first Vietnam ESG Forum will still follow the agreed plans, the goal of today's meeting is to discuss the Vietnam ESG Award - an important component of the upcoming first Vietnam ESG Forum.

The criteria of the Vietnam ESG Award are carefully reviewed.

At the meeting, Professor Nguyen Duc Khuong - Executive Director of EMLV Business School (France), Chairman of the Association of Vietnamese Scientists and Experts (AVSE Global) - expressed his impression of the lively and frank exchanges of the members of the Vietnam ESG Award Judging Council.

Professor Khuong emphasized that the Dan Tri Newspaper's Vietnam ESG Award is one of the pioneering awards in Vietnam related to ESG and sustainable development. Therefore, the Organizing Committee needs to carefully review the criteria to ensure clear information to participating units, while making it easier for the selection committee in the evaluation process. Once the criteria have been finalized, the Organizing Committee will focus on evaluating the entries.

He also noted that whether the profile is assessed qualitatively or quantitatively, the core element is still real transformation within the organization and the impact both inside and outside the business. Businesses can demonstrate this through specific measurement methods or through assessments from external organizations.

Professor Nguyen Duc Khuong - Executive Director of EMLV Business School (France) presented at the meeting of the Vietnam ESG Award Evaluation Council on the afternoon of March 26 (Photo: Hai Long).

"In case the profile is highly qualitative, has great potential for development and impact but is difficult to measure directly, the Organizing Committee can go to the site to discuss and observe the reality to assess the potential more accurately," the professor suggested.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Duc Loc - Director of the Institute for Social Life Research - emphasized that if the award is given to a campaign, the selection subject must be the campaign, not the organization.

Regarding social criteria, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Duc Loc raised the issue that if a business outsources processing but the outsourcing unit violates children's rights, how will the responsibility be calculated? Therefore, when participating in the award, businesses need to publicly and transparently disclose their commitments, ensuring that they do not violate international labor conventions.

"Important ESG award, positioning businesses in green development"

Dr. Bui Thanh Minh - Deputy Director of the Office of Private Economic Development Research (Department IV) - highly appreciated the quality and coverage of the Vietnam ESG Awards organized by Dan Tri newspaper.

"There have been businesses contacting me to learn about this award. Because for many businesses, especially businesses exporting goods to foreign markets such as the US, EU..., getting the ESG award is very important, helping to position the business as a pioneer in green development, social welfare... thereby making it easier to export goods," he said.

Members of the Vietnam ESG Awards Judging Council discuss at the headquarters of Dan Tri newspaper in Hanoi (Photo: Hai Long).

Dr. Bui Thanh Minh also highly appreciated the criteria of the Vietnam ESG Awards, ensuring detail and specificity. "In 3 years of evaluating many ESG awards, the criteria set by the Organizing Committee of the Vietnam ESG Forum is the most detailed. Regarding the steps of working and evaluating the profiles of participating businesses and organizations, we must also be as transparent as possible," Mr. Minh commented.

Emphasizing the flexibility in reviewing applications, Dr. Le Thai Ha - Executive Director of VinFuture Fund, Executive Director of the Fund for a Green Future - said that after businesses and organizations submit their applications, the Organizing Committee should conduct screening and classification to select the highest quality applications.

"In addition to award categories for organizations and businesses, awards for outstanding campaigns can still be considered. During the review, if a category is deemed worthy of honor, the council will proactively propose it," Ms. Ha shared.

Regarding the application criteria, Dr. Le Thai Ha said that enterprises need to report on their performance in the last 3 years, and at the same time prove that the social enterprise is still operating effectively. The secondary awards can be flexibly adjusted according to reality, and the nominated activities should have clear evidence. In addition, in the review criteria, it is necessary to note the "S" (Social) factor, including insurance payment for employees.

The opinions given in the discussion session were evaluated specifically and clearly, helping to increase the prestige and quality of the award (Photo: Hai Long).

Sharing the same view, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Duc Trung - Principal of Banking University of Ho Chi Minh City - also emphasized that the scoring process will be specific, detailed and clear, helping to closely follow the review progress while creating favorable conditions for all parties involved while still ensuring transparency.

"The winning units must commit to complying with the regulations; if they violate the regulations, their awards may be withdrawn. In addition, applying the quantitative scoring method will make the evaluation process easier and more objective," he suggested.

The first Vietnam ESG Awards honor businesses with real achievements in ESG practices

Concluding the first meeting of the first Vietnam ESG Awards Judging Council, journalist Pham Tuan Anh - Editor-in-Chief of Dan Tri newspaper - assessed the meeting as very exciting. The opinions expressed clarified many issues in the award judging process.

"The Organizing Committee of the Vietnam ESG Forum will agree on a number of tasks to ensure the award evaluation process is rigorous, complete, safe and reputable. Accordingly, after the preliminary round, the Organizing Committee will select qualified entries. After that, they will discuss and ask businesses to clarify issues, as well as have them provide more information, statements, and affirmations on issues of interest to the council such as tax issues, social insurance...", he said.

Along with that, the Editor-in-Chief of Dan Tri newspaper said that he will increase communication, both to increase social interest and create "soft pressure" for businesses to continue to comply with ESG-related criteria.

Members of the Organizing Committee of the Vietnam ESG Forum and members of the Vietnam ESG Awards Judging Council attended the meeting on March 26 (Photo: Hai Long).

"Regarding the scoring method, the Evaluation Council has discussed, analyzed carefully and proposed to keep this scoring method. However, we will focus on criteria with evidence and review specific records so that the judges can have the most objective assessment," he said.

Regarding the time to determine the award, journalist Pham Tuan Anh said that March 31 should be chosen as the benchmark to evaluate businesses to ensure strictness, and if necessary, consult with state management agencies. This will be an award to honor businesses and organizations in ESG implementation in 2024, and 2025 will be the award of 2025.

"Regarding the criteria, we have basic criteria and advanced criteria. The advanced criteria consider specific results and impacts. After considering the basic factors, we propose that the first Vietnam ESG Awards Judging Council also consider advanced factors to honor businesses with real achievements in ESG practices," emphasized journalist Pham Tuan Anh.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/kinh-doanh/hoi-dong-tham-dinh-thao-luan-soi-noi-ve-giai-thuong-esg-viet-nam-20250326171902170.htm