The need was addressed at seminars held on June 7, the second workday of the World Economic Forum on East Asia 2010 (WEF on East Asia 2010). 

A world economic growth engine, Asia has grown rapidly and robustly. However, it is also vulnerable to climate change and environment pollution. 

For this reason, there is a need for sustainable growth and green growth in economic development in countries in Asia. Several countries in the continent like the Republic of Korea (RoK) and Japan have begun changing the growth model and the economic structure in driving towards green growth by reducing exhaust fumes and saving energy. Some others have committed to reduce exhaust fumes and transfer green technology. 

Korean Deputy Minister of Environment Yoon Jong Soo said that despite economic difficulties RoK invested US$30 billion in a green growth strategy in 2008, which was considered to be a stimulus package with environmentally friendly projects. 

As a result, the RoK grew in 2009, and it is expected to grow five percent in 2010. The country also believes that it has overcome the crisis. The RoK will continue new strategies on green growth with a goal to reduce 30 percent of the amount of CO2 in 2020. 

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Thai Lai said that the Vietnamese government has devised short and long-term programs/itineraries for Vietnam to cope with and adapt itself to climate change and sea rise. The government, ministries, sectors and local authorities got together to make the programs/itineraries under the support from the international community. 

Not only the governments in Asia, many big-name businesses investing in Asia including Vietnam are driving towards green development through the commitments to reduction of exhaust fumes and energy consumption, and production of many environmentally friendly products. 

Frans Muller, a member of the Management Board of the Metro Group (Germany), said that Metro has used as much power as for a city with a population of 500,000. For this reason, the group has put in place an energy efficiency policy, which begins from improving employees' understanding of energy efficiency, applying green technology and solar energy in production and using destroyable bags. 

Stuart Dean, the chairman for the ASEAN region of the General Electric Group (GE), said that the assistance from and cooperation between the government and businesses are very important. Businesses also understand the benefits for them in pursuing green development and committing to be active in cooperation with the governments.