Promoting marine science and technology research within the framework of ASEAN

Attending the workshop, on behalf of the Vietnam Sea and Islands Administration, there was Deputy Director Truong Duc Tri, who chaired the workshop; representatives of the leaders of the units under the Administration. The workshop was attended by Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Chu Hoi, Member of the 15th National Assembly, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Fisheries Association, former Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Sea and Islands Administration. On behalf of the Central agencies, there were: Institute of Mechanics; Institute of Environmental Technology; Institute of Oceanography; University of Natural Sciences; University of Water Resources; Diplomatic Academy, National Border Committee, ASEAN Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and units under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment .

Deputy Director of Vietnam Sea and Islands Administration Truong Duc Tri delivered the opening speech at the Workshop.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Deputy Director Truong Duc Tri said that with a vision towards the sea and relying on the sea, Resolution No. 36 of the 12th Party Central Committee on the Strategy for Sustainable Development of Vietnam's Marine Economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045 emphasized that "Vietnam must become a strong maritime nation, rich from the sea, with sustainable development, prosperity, security and safety"; Taking advanced and modern science and technology and high-quality human resources as breakthrough factors. Prioritizing state budget investment in research, basic investigation, and training of human resources in the sea; combining the mobilization of domestic and foreign resources; Accessing and making the most of advanced scientific and technological achievements to become a leading group of countries in ASEAN".

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Chu Hoi, Member of the 15th National Assembly , Permanent Vice President of Vietnam Fisheries Association, shared his speech at the Workshop.

Internationally, the period 2021-2030 is the decade of marine science for sustainable development, the key tasks in this period are: Providing a common framework to ensure that marine science can support countries in implementing the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development; providing opportunities to create a new platform, at the science-policy interface, to enhance marine management for the harmonious benefit of the environment and people; Strengthening international cooperation, developing advanced scientific and technological research to connect marine science with the development needs of society; protecting the ocean and marine resources, conserving biodiversity, implementing the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the legal framework for reducing the risk of natural disasters at sea.

According to Mr. Truong Duc Tri, in recent years, many activities of research, deployment and application of marine science and technology have been carried out through state-level tasks, topics and projects within the framework of key state-level programs (typically KC.09 on the sea in the period of 2006-2010 and 2011-2015) and the Key Program for Basic Investigation of Marine Resources and Environment. We have discovered and clarified the basic characteristics of natural conditions, natural resources and marine environment (a rich information system and data on natural conditions; research to clarify the morphology and geological structure of the coast, seabed and islands; assessment of potential, forecasting prospects and orientations for searching for marine minerals...); deployment and application of a number of marine technologies in a number of marine economic sectors and fields (oil and gas, maritime, aquaculture and fisheries...).

However, Mr. Tri also said that marine science and technology in our country still has many limitations, the quality of research is uneven and the application efficiency is not high, the scope and research topics are mainly in coastal areas, there are few conditions for research in deep sea and distant sea areas.

At the workshop, delegates also heard opinions and suggestions for priority groups of issues on marine science and technology that need to be implemented from now until 2030 such as: solving problems of ecosystem degradation, studying the potential and ability to develop wind power and renewable energy in Vietnam's seas; researching and evaluating natural resources from the sea, etc.

Closing the workshop, Deputy Director Truong Duc Tri respectfully thanked the delegates from the Central Ministries, Departments, and Branches, organizations inside and outside the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, experts, scientists, especially with the presence and sharing of the speech of Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Chu Hoi, a delegate of the 15th National Assembly who has always accompanied the Vietnam Sea and Islands Administration. The workshop with 10 presentations, the delegates introduced some scientific research results achieved in the fields of resource management and environmental protection and marine ecosystems, blue marine economy as well as international and regional issues on the sea such as the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea, ASEAN regional cooperation on marine environmental protection, ... at the same time suggested many priority groups of issues on the development of marine science and technology in the coming time.

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