The Celebration of World Creativity and Innovation Day 2025

Excellency Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung, Minister of Science & Technology,

Distinguised participants, and bright young minds

Xin chào and a good afternoon.

It’s a pleasure to join you to celebrate World Creativity and Innovation Day 2025. My sincere thanks to the Ministry of Science and Technology for our continuous cooperation and for spearheading the Week of Creativity and Innovation, including bringing together such a dynamic audience.

This year’s global theme – “Innovation – Enabling Government – Leading Enterprises – Creative Institutions – Public Engagement” – mirrors Viet Nam’s bold national vision.

With Resolution 57, digital transformation and innovation have been named Viet Nam’s top strategic priority on the path to high-income status by 2045. It’s a powerful signal—backed by a commitment to dedicate 3% of the national budget to science, technology, and innovation.

Viet Nam’s digital economy now makes up 18.3% of GDP[1], growing faster than any other in Southeast Asia. Nearly all citizens are covered by broadband[2], and 5G is scaling fast.

Yet, gaps persist:

• In rural areas, internet usage lags urban areas by 10%.[3] [4]
• Internet usage is 5% lower for women than men. Smartphone ownership is 11% lower for women than men; and in remote areas, the gap widens to 26%.[5]
• And only 10% of girls expect to pursue STEM careers, compared to 24% of boys.[6]
• People with disabilities also continue to face significant barriers in accessing digital technologies, from lack of accessible design to limited training opportunities 

Innovation must be inclusive, and digital technologies must benefit all.

AI is reshaping economies and societies,  transforming how we work, live, and interact. But with this transformation comes a set of fundamental questions:  

• How do we ensure fairness?
• How do we safeguard privacy and protect rights?
• And how do we prevent technology from deepening inequality?

We must treat ethics as a foundation -- not as an afterthought.

As the United Nations, we are proud to support Viet Nam’s journey:

• By providing advice on ethical AI and AI governance frameworks.
• By co-developing projects with government and the private sector to promote AI sustainably and ethically while ensuring no one is left behind.
• By promoting education through technology and AI, providing green and digital skills training and job pathways, and advancing inclusion in technology and AI – especially for women, ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities.

To the students here today: you are not just digital natives – you are digital leaders. Your role is pivotal not only in creating technologies, but in defining the values those technologies serve. And we, the UN, stand ready to support your endeavours to our best ability as well.

So today, let us commit:

• To innovate boldly – but responsibly.
• To connect people – not just devices.
• To ensure that the digital future is not only fast and smart – but fair, ethical and inclusive

Moreover, let us embrace a culture where innovation and creativity become a way of life for individuals and organizations alike. 

Let’s foster environments that encourage new ideas, celebrate creativity, and integrate innovative thinking into everyday practices. 

By doing so, we can ensure that the spirit of innovation permeates every aspect of our lives, driving progress and enriching our communities.

The United Nations stands proudly beside Viet Nam on this path.

Happy World Innovation Day! Xin cảm ơn. 

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[1] Ministry of Information and Communications - 2024 Annual Report, and Mission Directions for 2025 (page 17) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-tR6kFyFKz6_APsqNELjaNJPovWvXY7E/view?usp=sharing

[2] ITU Data https://datahub.itu.int/data/?e=VNM

[3] International Telecommunication Union ITU Data (RAM Recommended source)

https://datahub.itu.int/data/?e=VNM

[4] GSO (2023), “Report on Labour Force Survey, 2022”

[5] Source: COUNTRY GENDER VIET NAM 2021 EQUALITY PROFIL, UN, 2021 vietnam.un.org/sites/default/files/2021-12/CGEP_Full report_English.pdf

[6] Unlocking Digital Transformation for Viet Nam’s Inclusive and Sustainable Development, UN, 2025