Geographical science contributes to building Vietnam's ecological civilization

GD&TĐ - The 15th National Conference on Geographical Sciences emphasized the role of geographic sciences in promoting green transformation and sustainable development.

On the morning of November 8, at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City), the 15th National Conference on Geographical Sciences opened with the theme "Geographical Sciences towards the goal of ecological civilization and achieving net zero emissions in Vietnam".

The event was organized by the Vietnam Geographical Society in collaboration with Ho Chi Minh City National University, Ho Chi Minh City Geographical Society and the Agricultural Trade Promotion Center - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development .

Attending the conference were Associate Professor Dr. Tran Anh Tuan - Chief of Office of the State Council of Professors; Dr. Le My Phong - Deputy Director of the Department of Quality Management, Ministry of Education and Training ; Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City along with leaders of universities, research institutes, scientists, lecturers, graduate students and students nationwide.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Cao Huan - President of Vietnam Geographical Association speaking. Photo: Ly Nguyen.

In his opening speech, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Cao Huan, Chairman of the Vietnam Geographical Association, said that this is a particularly meaningful scientific event, taking place in the context of our country promoting green transformation, digital transformation and deep international integration, towards the goal of sustainable development and achieving zero net emissions by 2050.

"New requirements for institutional improvement, territorial planning, regional development and resource and environmental management pose challenges but also open up great opportunities for geographical science to make more practical contributions to the country's development," Professor Huan emphasized.

According to Professor Huan, geography is a comprehensive, interdisciplinary science that studies the relationship between humans and nature in space and time, increasingly closely linked with modern technologies such as geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, artificial intelligence and big data.

Therefore, geographical research today has become an important basis for regional planning, rational use of resources, socio-economic development and environmental protection.

Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Cao Vinh - Vice President of Ho Chi Minh City National University. Photo: Ly Nguyen.

Representative of the host unit, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Cao Vinh, Vice President of Ho Chi Minh City National University, affirmed that the conference theme has profound meaning as it is closely linked to the national development strategy.

"Vietnam has issued the National Strategy on Green Growth for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050. Geographical science plays a core role in analyzing territorial laws, managing resources and applying digital technology to serve sustainable development," said Mr. Vinh.

Associate Professor Dr. Tran Cao Vinh also said that Ho Chi Minh City National University aims to become a leading research university by 2030, always valuing the role of basic science - in which geographical science is the foundation for strategic orientation of national development space.

Delegates attending the conference. Photo: Ly Nguyen.

In his report at the conference, Prof. Dr. Truong Quang Hai - Vice President of the Vietnam Geographical Association emphasized that Vietnam is entering a new development stage with the strategic goal of becoming a developed, high-income country by 2045.

This requires the country to innovate its growth model towards sustainability, promote green economy, circular economy and implement the Net Zero 2050 commitment.

Professor Hai proposed the strategic direction of increasing the application of digital technology and artificial intelligence in geographical research, developing digital twins for urban areas and river basins, exploiting large geospatial data for planning, disaster warning and smart governance.

Prof. Dr. Truong Quang Hai - Vice President of Vietnam Geographical Association. Photo: Ly Nguyen.

He emphasized that geographical science not only serves economic development, but also nurtures love of nature, sense of responsibility, adaptability and lifelong learning capacity of the young generation.

The 15th National Conference on Geographic Sciences is a forum for researchers, experts, lecturers, graduate students and postgraduate students nationwide to exchange new research results, share practical experiences and contribute to common goals.

This year's conference brought together more than 270 scientific reports presented in more than 200 sub-committees, comprehensively reflecting new research directions on spatial planning, green economy, circular economy, resource management, environmental protection and application of digital technology in geographical research.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/khoa-hoc-dia-ly-gop-phan-kien-tao-van-minh-sinh-thai-viet-nam-post755828.html