Vietnam – Western Australia expand new pillars of cooperation for a sustainable future

photo-1764826640742 — Dr. Nguyen Minh Vu, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke at the Forum.

Science – Technology, Green Economy : New pillars of cooperation in Vietnam – Australia relations

Recently in Perth, the Consulate General of Vietnam in collaboration with the Asia Center - University of Western Australia (UWA), the Association of Vietnamese-Australian Intellectuals and Experts (VASEA) and the Vietnam-Australia Talent Network (AVTN), organized the Western Australia - Vietnam Forum: Strengthening Science & Technology Cooperation for a Sustainable Future.

The high-level inter-ministerial delegation of the Vietnamese Government was led by Permanent Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu, together with four Deputy Ministers from the Ministries of Science and Technology; Education and Training; Agriculture and Environment; and Finance and officials from several ministries and branches.

On the Australian side, the Forum was attended by Professor Tim Colmer, Permanent Vice-Chancellor of UWA; Professor Raymond da Silva Rosa, Director, UWA Asia Centre; Mr. Guy Harris, Curtin University; Associate Professor Lien Duong, Vice President of VASEA; and Ms. Hannah Vu, President of AVTN.

In his opening remarks, Professor Tim Colmer affirmed that UWA considers cooperation with Vietnam as a strategic focus. In his speech, Permanent Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu emphasized the increasingly important role of the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, especially in science, technology and innovation to serve sustainable development goals.

The plenary sessions provided new perspectives on technology trends and green economy with in-depth content. Specifically, in Session 1, Professor Peta Ashworth (Curtin University) presented an overview of Australia's energy transition roadmap and the emerging green economic model; in which Bellevue Gold, the first gold mining enterprise in Western Australia to achieve net zero emissions (Scope 1 & 2), stood out.

photo-1764826643751 — Speakers attending the Forum

Promoting digital transformation, renewable energy and sustainable agriculture in bilateral cooperation

Next, in Session 2, Associate Professor Amin Mugera (UWA) introduced smart agricultural solutions, low-emission crop varieties and a program to develop livestock that do not emit methane – areas with great potential for cooperation with Vietnam.

The shared content helps the Vietnamese delegation better understand Western Australia's advanced technology and policies, and opens up many approaches for domestic application.

Here, speakers and the Vietnamese delegation had in-depth discussions on policies and technological innovations in renewable energy, sustainable mining, digital transformation, data governance and climate-resilient agriculture.

The Forum is not only an opportunity for academic exchange but also plays an important role as a bridge, helping managers, researchers and businesses of the two countries better understand the capacity, strengths and needs of their partners; and create a space for open, scientific and substantive dialogue, thereby enhancing understanding of the needs, capacities and development priorities of each side; highlighting Western Australia's strengths in research, technological innovation and university-business cooperation; supporting Vietnamese leaders in identifying new pillars of cooperation in the context of the two countries promoting science-technology cooperation and innovation; strengthening the common commitment towards green growth, sustainable development and comprehensive digital transformation.

The success of the Western Australia – Vietnam Forum once again affirms that science – technology, innovation and green economy will be new and promising pillars of cooperation in Vietnam – Australia relations.

Updated 12/4/2025

Source: https://laichau.gov.vn/tin-tuc-su-kien/chuyen-de/tin-trong-nuoc/viet-nam-tay-uc-mo-rong-tru-cot-hop-tac-moi-vi-tuong-lai-ben-vung.html