On the morning of October 28, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung held a dialogue with Stephan Mergenthaler, managing director of the World Economic Forum (WEF), during the high-level plenary session of the 2026 Autumn Economic Forum (AEF 2026).
Titled “Positioning Vietnam in the global future”, the dialogue focused on shifts in the global economy and their implications for Vietnam's development trajectory.
The CEO 500 programme takes place on October 26 as part of the Autumn Economic Forum 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: Organising committee).
Discussions covered the creation of new growth drivers and Vietnam's role and strengths in production networks, innovation and connections between emerging growth hubs.
The dialogue also addressed foreign affairs and international integration in the new context, including the shift from participation to co-creation through more active contributions to partnerships, initiatives and new cooperation mechanisms.
According to the organisers, the session aimed to connect growth drivers and create shared value for the region and the world, while clarifying Vietnam's role amid ongoing changes in the global economy.
The event was attended by leaders of the HCM City People's Committee, central ministries and agencies, local authorities, as well as representatives of governments, ministries and local administrations from other countries and international organisations.
As part of the event, organisers were expected to announce a cooperation statement between the HCM City People's Committee and the WEF, the first 10 official members of the Vietnam International Financial Centre in HCM City (VIFC HCMC), and projects approved in principle for investment or granted investment registration certificates.
AEF 2026 is being held in HCM City from October 26 to 29 under the theme “Collaboration in a New Era”.
The forum's main sessions on October 27 and 28 are co-branded with the WEF, marking the first time in the history of the AEF that cooperation has taken this form.
The event is expected to attract more than 1,500 delegates, including at least 22 high-level international delegations, the largest number to date.
The programme features 21 in-depth discussions, dialogues and presentations, alongside 16 side events. Organisers expect around 20 meetings between government and HCM City leaders and international partners, as well as approximately 300 contributions from experts and speakers.
Sessions focus on transforming growth models, institutional reform, finance, strategic technologies and innovation. Key topics include artificial intelligence, the circular economy, green logistics and the development of an international financial centre.
