The recommendation was made by Ms. Pauline Tamesis, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, during the plenary session of the Autumn Economic Forum 2025, held on the morning of 26/11 in Ho Chi Minh City. According to her, climate action can be accelerated through the application of artificial intelligence (AI) advancements.

For Vietnam, AI systems can offer substantial benefits. "Early disaster warning is important for Vietnam because the country is significantly affected by climate change," Ms. Tamesis stated.

Ms. Pauline Tamesis brings over 25 years of experience in senior leadership roles, driving significant changes for sustainable development. She has served as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam since 6/2022.

Ms. Pauline Tamesis, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, at the Autumn Economic Forum 2025 on the morning of 26/11. *Photo by event organizers*

The UN expert's recommendation comes as Germanwatch's Global Climate Risk Index reports consistently rank Vietnam among the top 10-15 nations most severely impacted by extreme weather events linked to climate change.

This year alone, the East Sea (South China Sea) experienced 15 storms and 5 tropical depressions, making 2025 one of the stormiest years in three decades, on par with 2017. Recent storms and floods have caused extensive damage in localities. Meteorological agencies forecast that in the coming month, the East Sea may see one to two more storms or tropical depressions, potentially impacting mainland Vietnam.

A technical report released in 6/2025 by the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) assesses that AI can be a powerful tool to support climate action in developing countries, which face the most severe climate impacts.

Accordingly, AI can enhance early warning systems by forecasting extreme weather events such as storms, floods, and droughts, enabling proactive disaster risk management. Furthermore, AI-driven urban planning tools can identify infrastructure weaknesses and optimize land use. When combined with satellite imagery, AI also supports biodiversity conservation, sustainable water use, and land restoration.

Beyond AI applications in early disaster warning, Ms. Pauline Tamesis presented three investment recommendations to help Vietnam maintain high, sustainable, and inclusive growth:

First, investing in renewable energy will improve air quality and enhance energy security, creating new impetus for economic growth. When projects are implemented on schedule and integrated with transmission infrastructure, clean energy will become a foundation for sustainable development and attract long-term investment.

Second, increased spending on education, upgraded labor skills, and modernized infrastructure will boost productivity growth, reduce poverty, and expand fiscal space for the government. Finally, investing in information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure can contribute a minimum of 2% to economic growth, while creating opportunities for digital service access, supporting poverty reduction, and narrowing the development gap.

The Autumn Economic Forum 2025, themed "Green Transformation in the Digital Age," was directed by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and chaired by the Ho Chi Minh City Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (HCMC C4IR), in coordination with various agencies, ministries, and the World Economic Forum (WEF). The event brought together seven international delegations, 10 global C4IR centers, six multinational corporations, country representatives, and 500 domestic businesses.

Vien Thong