Launching the ASEAN-MERCOSUR Program

The event was attended by Mr. Marcos Bednarski, Ambassador of the Republic of Argentina to Vietnam; Mr. Raul Giampietro, Ambassador of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay to Vietnam; Ms. Ana Nogueira, Deputy Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil to Vietnam; and Dr. Ignacio Bartesaghi, Director of the Institute of International Business at the Catholic University of Uruguay and Coordinator of the ASEAN-MERCOSUR Program Chair.

Attending the ceremony, on behalf of the Foreign Trade University, were Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Thu Huong - Vice Rector, leaders of various units, as well as many lecturers, staff, and students of the University.

In her opening remarks, Associate Professor Pham Thu Huong, Vice Rector of the Foreign Trade University, emphasized: "The ASEAN - MERCOSUR CHAIR launch ceremony is an important stepping stone, affirming the shared vision of the two regions in building a sustainable cooperative relationship. This is not only a symbol of the connection between ASEAN and MERCOSUR but also a foundation for promoting multilateral dialogues in many important areas."

Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Thu Huong , Vice Rector of the Foreign Trade University, delivered the opening speech at the ceremony.
Photo: TH.

At the ceremony, representatives from the embassies delivered welcoming remarks and pledged their support for the ASEAN-MERCOSUR Chair Program, aimed at promoting trade in particular and cooperation in general between countries in the two regions.

Ambassador Raul Giampietro, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Eastern Uruguay to Vietnam, expressed his deep gratitude to the Foreign Trade University for its efforts in becoming an academic bridge between the two regions. He affirmed that this cooperation will contribute to promoting the sustainable development of both regions in the future.

Ambassador Marcos Antonio Bednarski, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Argentina to Vietnam, expressed his delight at the large turnout of students. He emphasized: “Students are the future of each country and of the world , and their participation in this event is proof of the important role of the younger generation in building strong international relations.”

Ambassador Marcos Bednarski , Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Argentina to Vietnam, shared his thoughts at the ceremony. Photo: TH.

Ms. Ana Beatriz Nogueira, Deputy Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil to Vietnam, emphasized Brazil's pioneering role as the first MERCOSUR country to establish relations with ASEAN. She also expressed hope that in the near future, Brazil will continue to promote and further expand cooperation between the two regions in many fields, from economics to culture.

In connection with the program, Ms. Ngo Minh Nguyet, the Vietnamese Ambassador to Argentina and concurrently to Uruguay, emphasized the enormous potential for cooperation between ASEAN and Mercosur – two regions rich in natural resources, with a young workforce and rapidly developing technology. She affirmed: “Strengthening economic relations will benefit both sides, not only boosting trade and investment but also opening up opportunities for technological cooperation, knowledge exchange, and cultural understanding.” Ambassador Ngo Minh Nguyet shared the reason for choosing the Foreign Trade University (FTU) as the venue for the event, noting that it is not only a leading university in economics and business but also has experience in organizing large-scale international events and projects such as the WTO Chair Program in Vietnam.

At the ceremony, Professor Ignacio Bartesaghi, Coordinator of the ASEAN-MERCOSUR Chair, presented the ASEAN-MERCOSUR Chair program and the planned activities to be implemented in Vietnam in the near future.

Meeting with leaders from the three embassies as well as the ASEAN representative - MERCOSUR Chair. Photo: TH.

Within the framework of the program, lecturers, staff, and students of the Foreign Trade University, as well as students from the Catholic University of Uruguay participating in the short-term program at the University, had the opportunity to interact and ask questions with leaders of the three Embassies and the ASEAN-MERCOSUR Chair to learn more about the program and share their expectations for its future activities.

The ASEAN-MERCOSUR Chair program was established in 2016 to promote dialogue and cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), particularly in the economic and educational fields. The ASEAN-MERCOSUR Chair is designed as a center for research and collaboration, with a focus on sustainable development, innovation, and education. This initiative not only opens opportunities for students, academics, and businesses from both regions but also creates lasting value, contributing to global prosperity and sustainable development.

Foreign Trade University is one of Vietnam's leading universities in the field of economics and international trade. The university is committed to promoting international cooperation, providing high-quality learning and research opportunities for students, and contributing to the development of the global academic community.

Comment (0)