DEVDAY 2025 DA NANG - H.E. Dr. Thomas Gass Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to Vietnam
Short Summary:
The transcript is a speech delivered at DEVDAY 2025 in Da Nang, Vietnam, by the Swiss Ambassador, highlighting the strong partnership between Switzerland and Vietnam in the IT industry. Key points include the resilience and growth of the IT sector, particularly during COVID-19; the importance of ethical and sustainable development in the face of global challenges like misinformation and trade wars; the significant contribution of Swiss companies to the Vietnamese economy (mentioning Axon Active as a key example); and the support provided by the Swiss government through programs like Swiss EP, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Vietnam. The speech emphasizes the role of IT in creating a more inclusive and transparent world and celebrates the collaborative efforts between Swiss companies, Vietnamese universities (like DTU), and the Vietnamese government.
Detailed Summary:
The speech can be broken down into the following sections:
1. Opening Remarks and Setting the Scene: The Ambassador begins by acknowledging the event's organizers, sponsors (including Axon Active and Open Web), and attendees, emphasizing the vibrant and inspiring atmosphere. He positions the event as a glimpse into the future, highlighting the innovative spirit present among the IT professionals gathered.
2. The Importance of the IT Industry in a Challenging World: The Ambassador underscores the IT industry's resilience, particularly its growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. He then highlights the current global challenges – fragmentation of the international community, trade wars, misinformation, and the weaponization of information technologies – emphasizing the crucial role of the IT sector in addressing these issues. He calls upon the attendees to leverage their skills and values to build a more sustainable, inclusive, and transparent world. A key message here is the need for ethical considerations in technological development.
3. Swiss-Vietnamese Collaboration in the IT Sector: The Ambassador highlights the substantial contribution of Swiss companies to the Vietnamese economy, citing the numerous jobs created. He specifically mentions Axon Active as a successful example of Swiss-Vietnamese collaboration, noting that many applications used in Switzerland are developed in Vietnam. He also acknowledges the presence of other Swiss companies and sponsors at the event. The commendable support of the Vietnamese government for the IT industry is also recognized.
4. Swiss Government Support for Vietnamese Innovation: The Ambassador details the Swiss Entrepreneurship Program (Swiss EP), funded by the Swiss embassy, which has supported over 2,000 Vietnamese entrepreneurs and helped them raise around 125 million Swiss Francs in capital since 2017. This program is presented as a key driver of innovation, sustainable growth, and job creation in Vietnam.
5. Closing Remarks and Acknowledgements: The Ambassador concludes by expressing his pride in the Swiss-Vietnamese partnership, giving special thanks to Dr. Kerr and DTU University for their vision in partnering with Dev Day, and to Marcus Bower and the Axon Active team for their contributions. He emphasizes the successful collaboration and the shared values of innovation and quality between Switzerland and Vietnam. A key quote summarizing his sentiment is: "the Swiss values the Swiss energy the Swiss innovativeness and and quality into the partnership between Vietnam and Switzerland makes me very very proud."