Symposium details for International Symposium on Sustainable Development (ISSD) 2026.
The International Symposium on Sustainable Development 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City, a dynamic centre of economic growth, innovation, and social transformation, will provide a platform to explore how organisations, communities, and institutions can navigate sustainability challenges and advance meaningful transitions through innovation, responsible practices, and effective policies.
Under the theme “Transitions, Innovations, and Policies for Sustainable Development,” the symposium will bring together researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers to exchange insights on emerging approaches to sustainable development, foster interdisciplinary dialogue, and explore pathways towards more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable futures.
Symposium programme
The symposium programme will be updated closer to the event date.
Transport to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Participants can fly to Tan Son Nhat International Airport, located in Ho Chi Minh City, and travel to the symposium venue by ground transportation.
Keynote speech
Strategising for sustainable development? Towards a strategic approach to sustainability.
Professor Bert George
The City University of Hong Kong
Professor Bert George is Full Professor at the Department of Public and International Affairs, Director of the research cluster for Brain, Behavior and Society, and Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at the City University of Hong Kong. He is Co-Editor in Chief of Public Management Review and is a Stanford top 2% cited scientist. His research focuses on strategic planning and management, red tape and Neuro Public Administration. He has published over 60 articles in leading academic journals and co-authored the sixth edition of the bestseller Strategic Planning for Public and Non-Profit Organisations. His work has been cited by the US White House, European Commission, World Bank, UNESCO, Deloitte Government Trends and many other governments and nonprofits across the globe.
Roundtable on Strategy for Sustainable Development in the Age of AI
Ambassador Marc Knapper
Former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam; CEO of Knapper Global Advisors
Mrs Kashish Bhambi
Chief Technology Officer of DIGI-TEXX VIETNAM
Mr Rich McClellan
CEO of the Viet Nam International Financial Center (VIFC) in HCMC
Dr Hoa Thanh Nguyen
Vice Director of Ho Chi Minh City Digital Transformation Center
Dr Tuan Chu
Senior Lecturer & Associate Program Manager, Bachelor of Business, RMIT Vietnam
Editors' Sharing Session: From Conference Paper to Journal Article
Professor Bert George
Associate Dean of the College of Liberal, Arts and Social Sciences, The City University of Hong Kong
Associate Professor Toan Huynh
Associate Professor in Applied Macroeconomic Analysis, School of Business and Management, Queen Mary University of London
Professor Pervaiz K Ahmed
Distinguished Research Professor, Director - Sunway Institute for Global Strategy and Competitiveness (IGSC)
Associate Professor Huy Pham
Senior Lecturer, Finance; Cluster Co-lead, Sustainable Development and Consumption, The Business School, RMIT Vietnam
