Vietnam-Western Australia enhance science and technology cooperation for a sustainable future
WVR - Recently, the Consulate General of Vietnam in Perth, in collaboration with the Asia Centre at the University of Western Australia (UWA), the Vietnam Australia Society of Experts and Academics (VASEA), and the Australia Vietnam Talent Network (AVTN), organized the Western Australia-Vietnam Forum with the theme “Enhancing Science and Technology Cooperation for a Sustainable Future”.
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The event provided an opportunity for leaders, experts, and businesses from both countries to share visions, enhance understanding, and promote substantive cooperation in green economy, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, modern mining, and digital transformation.
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| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu speaking at the Forum. |
The forum was honoured to welcome a high-level inter-ministerial delegation from the Vietnamese Government, led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, along with four Deputy Ministers from the Ministries of Science and Technology, Education and Training, Agriculture and Environment, and Finance, as well as officials from various ministries and sectors.
The presence of the Vietnamese delegation underscores the commitment to fostering new pillars of cooperation with Australia.
Attending the event from Australia were Prof. Tim Colmer, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UWA; Prof. Raymond da Silva Rosa, Director of the Asia Centre at UWA; Mr. Guy Harris (Curtin University); Assoc. Prof. Lien Duong, Vice President of VASEA, and Ms. Hannah Vu, President of AVTN.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Tim Colmer affirmed that UWA considers its partnership with Vietnam a strategic priority. Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu also emphasized the increasing importance of the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, particularly in science and technology and innovation for sustainable development.
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| Overview of the Forum. |
The plenary sessions of the Forum provided updated insights into technology trends and the green economy with in-depth content:
Session 1: Prof. Peta Ashworth (Curtin University) presented an overview of Australia's energy transition roadmap and the emerging green economy model. Notably, Bellevue Gold is the first gold mining company in Western Australia to achieve net-zero emissions (Scope 1 & 2).
Session 2: Assoc. Prof. Amin Mugera (UWA) introduced smart agriculture solutions, low-emission crop varieties, and a methane-free livestock development program – areas with significant potential for collaboration with Vietnam.
The shared content helped the Vietnamese delegation gain a deeper understanding of Western Australia's advanced technology and policies, opening up various approaches for domestic application.
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| Thematic discussion session at the Forum. |
The thematic discussion session was moderated by Prof. Raymond da Silva Rosa, featuring Prof. Peta Ashworth; Mr. Adam Edwards – Digital Government Office of Western Australia; Assoc. Prof. Amin Mugera – UWA.
Here, speakers and the Vietnamese delegation engaged in in-depth discussions on policy and technological innovation in renewable energy, sustainable mining, digital transformation, data governance, and climate-adaptive agriculture.
The discussion not only focused on knowledge sharing but also helped both sides identify potential areas for collaboration and models that could be implemented in the near future.
The Forum was not just an academic exchange space but also served as a crucial bridge, helping managers, researchers, and businesses from both countries better understand each other's capabilities, strengths, and needs.
The event facilitated open, scientific, and substantive dialogue, highlighting Western Australia's strengths in research, technological innovation, and university-business collaboration.
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| Delegates attending the Forum pose for a commemorative photo. |
The success of the Western Australia-Vietnam Forum reaffirms that science and technology, innovation, and the green economy will be promising new pillars of cooperation in Vietnam-Australia relations.
The event laid the foundation for extensive cooperation initiatives, paving the way for collaborative programs between government agencies, research institutes, universities, and businesses from both countries in the future.
