There were representatives from businesses; development agencies and organizations; associations and professional associations; university lecturers and scientists attending the forum.

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Truc Le, Rector of the University of Economics (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) said that the four goals of the "Vietnam - UK Economic and Trade Forum" are: Connecting trade partners, services and investment of Vietnam and the UK in order to promote cooperation between the two sides associated with education, training and science and technology; Assess the current situation and find solutions to develop high-quality human resources, provide training to meet business needs and solve social problems; Assess the current situation and seek solutions to improve the efficiency of science and technology management and environmental protection, contributing to removing current investment and trade barriers and enhancing international cooperation; Provide scientific arguments, policy, financial, technical and social solutions towards the goal of developing a low-emission economy, supporting Vietnam and other countries to implement the Paris Agreement as well as contribute to Vietnam's recommendations at COP 26.

The forum consisted of a master session, 02 thematic sessions and a policy discussion session with the topics "Vietnam - UK economy, trade and investment", and "Climate change and low-carbon economy". The sessions focused on the UK-Vietnam economic and trade relationship towards a low-carbon economy and sustainable development and policy recommendations for Vietnam.
 
Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam - UK Friendship Association, said that the bilateral trade and investment relations between Vietnam and the UK currently have favorable conditions. "The relationship between the two countries has a long traditional history that has laid a solid foundation with nearly 50 years since the two countries established diplomatic relations," he said.

At the forum, Vietnamese and UK researchers, managers and businesses made many policy recommendations to promote bilateral relations in the coming time.
 
First, perfect the legal framework in new generation free trade agreements (FTAs) such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the UKVFTA Agreement, and supplement international commitments environmental and food safety regulations.

Second, innovate growth models, develop global supply chains based on FTAs.

Third, the two sides have a mutual interest in a number of sustainable development goals, so it is necessary to focus on a number of priority areas such as clean energy, high technology, education and training...

Finally, it is necessary to continue promoting major international cooperation projects between Vietnam and the UK.

In terms of trade and investment relations, Vietnam and the United Kingdom achieved important milestones in 2010 when the two signed the Strategic Partnership Agreement and the Free Trade Agreement of Vietnam, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland (UKVFTA) in December, 2020. In recent years, the UK is Vietnam's third-largest European trading partner, besides Germany and the Netherlands.