HCMC – The government of HCMC will work with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to create the Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) in Vietnam’s southern city.
This development positions HCMC as the second Southeast Asian city to host a center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0), following the successful launch in Malaysia in 2023.
The signing ceremony, graced by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Professor Klaus Schwab, founder and chairman of WEF, was held during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on January 16.
The establishment of C4IR in HCMC is scheduled to commence operations in June 2024 and will be situated in the Saigon Hi-Tech Park (SHTP), one of Vietnam’s two national high-tech zones.
The center aims to shape and advance strategies for Industry 4.0, with a focus on the city’s economic development goals and broader national priorities. These include collaborative research, policy recommendations, technology applications, green and smart urban development, and artificial intelligence development.
The establishment of the C4IR in HCMC is considered a significant economic development initiative for the city, expected to serve as a reliable platform for collaboration among experts, researchers, and the business community, both domestically and internationally, said HCMC People’s Committee Chairman Phan Van Mai.
Jeremy Jurgens, CEO of WEF, described the establishment of C4IR HCMC as a milestone in the collaboration between WEF and Vietnam. The center is expected to support Vietnam in achieving its goals of innovation, creativity, and growth through enhanced international cooperation and connectivity.
C4IR, a global initiative by the World Economic Forum, has been established in various countries, including Austin, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Detroit, Germany, Israel, Malaysia, Norway, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Africa, Telangana, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
The network aims to maximize the benefits of technology for society while minimizing risks and accelerating the deployment of emerging technologies.
