The Forum drew attention and participation of representatives from ministries, central and local agencies and nearly 100 delegates from 15 universities in 12 Asian countries.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, VNU President Phùng Xuân Nhạ affirmed the role and importance of Green growth in addressing the global challenges, promoting economic growth, protecting the environment, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving biodiversity and adapting to climate change.

VNU President Phùng Xuân Nhạ also proposed 3 issues for the participants to discuss to further promote cooperation in green growth research and training among the universities in the region.

Firstly, designing joint cooperative research programs on Green growth and sustainable development; forming joint research groups with the participation of experts and scientists from the AUF universities to address scientific issues and provide policy consultations and solutions to governments and businesses.

Secondly, on the basis of research achievements, scientists of the AUF universities would together design undergraduate and graduate green growth and sustainable development training programs, sharing resources, promoting faculty and students exchanges among the member universities.

Thirdly, establishing a forum co-hosted by the member universities on Green growth and sustainable development with the participation of policy-planning bodies, international organizations and business community.

Seoul National University President Sung Nak-in said that green growth was considered an issue not only of Asia but also of the world and was becoming an extremely important issue for those countries with difficulty-filled economies in need of sustainable development. He affirmed that the Korean Government was also highly concerned with the issue.

Speaking at the Forum, Quảng Ninh Province People’s Committee Vice Chairman Vũ Thị Thu Thủy said that Quảng Ninh province was currently implementing the Green Growth Action Plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing overexploitation and overconsumption of natural resources and energy, gradually increasing the ratio of renewable energy consumption; greenizing production; greenizing life and sustainable consumption.
At the Forum, VNU Quality Assurance Council Chairman Prof. Mai Trọng Nhuận and Prof. Mooyoung Han from Seoul National University delivered a report on "Green Growth for Sustainable and Equitable Development". According to Prof. Mai Trọng Nhuận, green growth together with building a low-carbon society was one of the best ways to develop sustainably and to deal with climate change. Governments should regard this as a responsibility of the whole society.
Agreeing with Prof. Mai Trọng Nhuận on his solutions, Thammasat University (Thailand) Vice President Nitinant Wisaweisuan further proposed Solution 3C to deal with the reality; namely, it was necessary to propagate, to connect communities and to keep the above-named activities going from generation to generation.
Also during the Forum, the representatives of three parties: VNU, Seoul National University and Quảng Ninh Province discussed the establishment of a joint Green Growth research and training centre. The discussion was focused on Quảng Ninh province’s sustainable development of land and tourism resources advantages in close connection with green growth.

AUF, a network of Asian universities initiated by Seoul National University in 2011, is held alternately in the countries in the region for enhancing understanding and cooperation among the universities.
The Forum is an opportunity to exchange experience, share and assist the universities in enhancing their training and research capacity. In particular, AUF is also a platform to propose ideas, to provide policy consultations and to demonstrate the role of universities in socio-economic development of each country and the entire continent.