Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme in Viet Nam Khalidi has over 30 years of experience working in development and policy research at both the national and regional levels, including 25 years with UNDP and the UN Secretariat. At the regional level, Ms. Khalidi has led the interdisciplinary and strategic planning efforts of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia on the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, and managed the organization’s technical cooperation programmes and policy advisory services to the 18 Member States. She has also led the organization’s partnership with donors, UN agencies and civil society partners. Ms. Khalidi’s policy work has focused on poverty reduction, inclusive social development, gender equality and good governance. She has also worked as a journalist, a researcher, and a programme manager in diverse country contexts. Most recently, Ms. Khalidi was UNDP Resident Representative in Syria between 2019 and 2022, where she managed a $50 million programme focused on delivering early recovery and resilience support through the creation of livelihoods opportunities, the rehabilitation of critical social infrastructure, and the promotion of social cohesion. Ms. Khalidi is a national of Jordan and holds a Master of Arts in Arab Studies from Georgetown University and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Tufts University. She is fluent in English and Arabic with a working knowledge of French.  

Director General of the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization (NATEC), Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam Dr. Pham Hong Quat is the Director General of the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization (NATEC), Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam. Dr. Quat has got the Bachelor of Laws in Hanoi Law University of Vietnam in 1991 and obtained the Degree of Doctor of Laws in Nagoya University of Japan in 2007. He has been working for the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam for more than 20 years in different positions. He has experience in making policy on intellectual property protection, technology transfer, innovation and entrepreneurship development. He is in charge of the head of the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization (NATEC) from 2014. This agency is running the Project for National Startup Ecosystem Development in Vietnam from 2016.

President CIEM

Deputy Director of the National Innovation Center (NIC), Ministry of Planning and Investment

NIC is tasked with supporting and developing the innovation ecosystem, contributing to the innovation of growth models based on scientific and technological advancements. The establishment of NIC marks a significant step by the Government to materialize Resolution No. 52-NQ/TW of the Politburo, which outlines guidelines and policies for proactive participation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Currently, NIC is spearheading the development of the Project "Developing human resources in Vietnam's semiconductor industry until 2030, with a vision to 2045."

Mr. Hoai holds a Ph.D. in Economics and a master’s degree in finance from Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne University, as well as a master’s degree in science - Technology from ENS Paris - Saclay, French Republic.

Chủ tịch Pacific Rim Investment and Management

Mr. Nguyen Huu Tho is currently Director of the Department of Economic Analysis and Forecast, Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM). Mr. Tho has 25 years of experience in scientific research in the field of economics. He used to work in many different positions at Ha Noi National University and CIEM. Along with scientific research, he also participated in teaching and delivering lectures and supervising master and doctoral candidates in economics topic at CIEM and other Universities such as University of Economics-National University, Viet Nam Academy of Social Sciences, Viet Nam Academy of Agriculture and Hoa Binh University.

Jonathan Pincus is a development economist specializing in Southeast Asia, focusing on macroeconomics, rural development and poverty analysis. He has held teaching posts in Europe, the United States, and Asia and carried out research and analytical assignments with various international organizations and financial institutions. As a director and board member of several philanthropic organizations, he has established scholarship programs for Southeast Asian students and established research and teaching programs in Indonesia, Viet Nam and Myanmar. He is currently Senior International Economist with the United Nations Development Programme in Vietnam.

Country Director Representative Office Vietnam Arizona State University Phuong Anh joined the Arizona State University (ASU) as In-Country Program Manager in October 2016 and is based in Hanoi, Vietnam. Prior to her appointment at ASU, Phuong Anh was Finance, Human Resources and Administration Manager of Vietnam Education Foundation (VEF). She also worked as the Human Resources and Administration Manager of Oxfam Hong Kong, an International NGO in Vietnam. Phuong Anh holds an MBA in Human Resource Management from the American Heritage University, a BSC in Economics and Trade from the National Economics University, and a BA in English from Hanoi National University in Hanoi Vietnam. She possesses comprehensive knowledge and solid background of human resources and administration, policy development and update, recruitment and orientation, employment contract, payroll, insurance, and staff development. Ms. Phuong Anh is excited to join ASU and looks forward to contributing towards achieving the mission of ASU. On the personal side, she enjoys reading, traveling, and listening to music.

Nguyen Truong Thang received his PhD in 2005 at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), Japan. His research major are Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cybersecurity. Currently, he is working as the Director of Institute of Information Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. As assigned by Ministry of Science and Technology, A/Prof. Dr. Nguyen Truong Thang is the National Focal Point of Vietnam in Sub-Committee on Micro-electronics and Information Technology (SCMIT). From Jan 2021, he is acting as the SCMIT Chair. He is actively working for the digital transformation of government and industry in Vietnam via various IT projects. He frequently contributes ideas for Vietnam government to formulate national digital transformation and AI strategies.

Vice President CIEM