GEM Conference 2024: Pioneering Sustainable Mobility and Inclusive Partnerships

22.01.24

AIP Foundation hosted the Green and Equitable Mobility (GEM) Conference on January 17, 2024, to promote sustainable transportation and inclusive partnerships. This landmark event, organised in collaboration with international partners, aimed to build new alliances and enhance capacity for equity and sustainability in the mobility and transportation sector. The conference, hosted both in-person in Ho Chi Minh City and globally online, brought together key stakeholders from diverse sectors. Participants and speakers shared insights on how safe, equitable, and sustainable mobility can positively impact our daily lives and our future.

Co-funded by the FIA Foundation and co-organised by the University of Aberdeen and University of Transport and Communications in Ho Chi Minh City, with sponsorship from the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City and the Institute of Smart City & Management, the GEM Conference showcased a collaborative effort to tackle important mobility issues.

The event, supported by a UK-Viet Nam Partnerships for Quality and Internationalization grant from the British Council’s Going Global Partnerships program, seamlessly integrated into global discussions on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), marking it as the first of its kind in Vietnam to approach mobility from a human and green perspective with the motto "No One Left Behind."

Highlighting mobility's vital role in daily life, the event stressed the global issue of unequal access to safe mobility. Emphasising positive impacts on SDGs like health, education, work, and clean air, the narrative underscored the right to equitable access for all to healthy, green, and walkable cities worldwide.

Notable discussions included opening remarks from HM British Consul General in HCMC, Emily Hamblin, emphasising the significance of partnerships in shaping a sustainable future. Sheila Watson, Deputy Director of the FIA Foundation, echoed the importance of accessible mobility for all in building safe and resilient cities in her keynote address.

The conference delved into the theme of Equity in Mobility through panel discussions, addressing barriers to ensure every student thrives in the mobility sector. Mimi Vu from Raise Partners, in her keynote speech, stressed the importance of inclusivity beyond urban areas and the amplification of women's voices.

The Green Mobility panel further facilitated conversations on sustainable transportation solutions and inclusive initiatives. Atsani Ariobowo, Director of Child and Youth Health at the FIA Foundation, delivered the closing remarks, emphasising collaboration as the key to transforming mobility into a catalyst for positive change.

In the spirit of inclusivity and accessibility, the GEM conference was a hybrid event with Vietnamese-English interpretation and translation. Throughout the conference day, participants, speakers, and attendees were encouraged to engage via digital platforms.