Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh Meets With French Business Leaders in Paris

As part of his bilateral visit to the French Republic, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with leaders of top French corporations and businesses in Paris on June 11th to promote cooperation and investment in areas such as aerospace, information technology, pharmaceuticals, railways, and energy.

The Prime Minister held talks with the management of Alstom, a global leader in transport solutions with €18.5 billion in revenue (over VND 558 trillion) in the 2024 financial year.

Alstom has had a presence in Vietnam for over 30 years, participating in important infrastructure projects such as the modernization of railway signaling and telecommunications systems and providing core electrical equipment for Hanoi’s Metro Line 3 (Nhon-Hanoi Railway Station)…

The Prime Minister emphasized the need to accelerate and enhance cooperation in the coming years and requested that Alstom focus on three key factors: technology transfer, providing preferential loans, and supporting human resource training in the railway sector for Vietnam.

These are essential elements to modernize Vietnam’s transport infrastructure, particularly in the railway sector, contributing to the country’s socio-economic development and laying the foundation for a high-tech industry to enhance Vietnam’s position in the new era.

Alstom’s Recent Achievements in CSR

While other French corporations, such as Thales and EDF, excel in aerospace and clean energy respectively, Alstom stands out in the transport sector.

Alstom is a key player in France’s transport industry, with 16 facilities across the country. The company contributes to the vibrancy of the local economy, and its 12,000 employees, including 4,500 engineers, offer a wealth of expertise to serve French and international clients.

A common thread among these corporations is their strong commitment to climate action and environmental protection, as evidenced by their emphasis on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices and their alignment with France’s Net Zero goals.

Alstom, in particular, is the first railway company in the world to receive the CSR Commitment Label from AFNOR, meeting the ISO 26000 standard, for its operations in France.

Just a day before the meeting with Vietnam’s Prime Minister, Alstom announced a “hat-trick” of sustainability achievements, with significant advancements in environmental sustainability.

Alstom’s three notable CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) achievements are as follows:

(1) Alstom is among the top 2% of companies to achieve a “Climate A” score in 2024, as recognized by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) – Thales Group also made it to this exclusive list;

(2) Ranked 7th in the “Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World 2025” list by the Canadian magazine Corporate Knights. In 2023, Alstom ranked 19th.

(3) Ranked 4th in the Europe 50 Ranking – a list of the 50 most sustainable companies in Europe, also by Corporate Knights.

“These positive recognitions testify to our dedication to sustainability. Despite increasingly stringent criteria, we continue to improve each year. We are proud and determined to keep setting new standards for sustainability.” – said Claire Caillaud, Director of Sustainability Reporting & CSR at Alstom.

These results showcase Alstom’s Green Ambition: to lead the development of more sustainable transportation systems worldwide while conducting business responsibly and ethically.

Alstom’s Concrete Actions in Sustainability

Alstom’s CSR strategy focuses on climate protection, with specific targets: achieving net-zero carbon emissions in the transport sector, conserving resources, and promoting responsible supply chains.

The company has committed to reducing its CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030. From 2031 onwards, Alstom aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 42% per passenger-km and 35% per ton-km.

To reduce CO2 emissions, Alstom aims for 100% renewable electricity use. They install photovoltaic panels on roofs or unused land at their production sites to generate renewable energy.

Additionally, the Group recycles waste from all its sites by installing collection bins in workshops, sorting materials like cardboard, wooden boxes, and aluminum scrap.

Moreover, Alstom pioneers circular economy initiatives with its suppliers and customers. As a result:

Alstom’s trains are now 95% recyclable; Some trains, like the Metropolis subway or the Avelia Horizon high-speed train, already contain over 25% recycled materials, with a target of 40% by 2030;

The Traxx Hauler™ electric locomotive from Alstom emits no direct CO2. It is one of the most powerful locomotives in the world, capable of pulling up to 10,000 tons at speeds of up to 120 km/h…